RUN! And Call Your Father!

“I grabbed him, body slammed him and put him in a nice headlock and waited till the deputies showed up,” the teen's dad told the news source.

Here's the story:  It took place last Thursday, April 7, 2011, in the state of Oregon.  A 13 year old girl was walking home from school when a sex offender approached her asking for her name and then tried to grab her by the shoulder.  Her first instinct was to Run!  Then she used her cell to call her dad.  Dad arrives quickly and the two of them drive around the area looking for the offender.  They spot him a few blocks away.  The dad gets out...grabs the guy...body slams him (and for this I applaud) and anchors him in a nice headlock....just controlling the situation, which in this case is one mean sex offender...until the deputies arrive (and again, I must applaud!!)

My hat is off to this dad!  He did what every dad would do.  He rushed to her ... put her in his protective care...and went after the attacker.  He located the villian and he apprehended him.  He saved his daughter, and possibly another teen, from an attack!  He stopped the enemy in his tracks. 

I call this dad a hero.  But actually, he did what came natural as a dad. He was simply protecting his child.  That's what our Heavenly Father does for us! 

When you are uneasy, feeling threatened or insecure, or facing an overwhelming situation in your life.  The hand of the attacker is touching your shoulder...

#1.  Run.  Don't stand idle and spend your energy worrying.  Don't entertain the enemy!  Stop battling the situation with your human strength.  Remember, you can't reason with the attacker once he has targeted you with an intent.  His intent is to bring you under his control for his purpose.  Escaping the presence of the attacker diminishes his ability to fulfill this evil intent.  Run to the Word of God.  Run to prayer.  Run.

 #2.  Yell.  Call out to your Heavenly Father!  Get His attention.  Tell Him what is happening.  When you do this, your Father will act in that same protective mode as the girl's dad...and rush to where you are.  He is everywhere at once. He is all-power and all-knowing...He will arrive faster than the speed-of-light...He will show no mercy to the one coming against you.  If the teen had not called her dad last Thursday, he wouldn't have known of her danger.  She knew what to do.  She escaped the enemy's presence - She contacted her dad.  ~ Run and Yell.

#3.  Stay in the presence of your Father.  Ride with Him. Just because your Heavenly Father came to your rescue doesn't mean that you can turn your back on Him.  There's a very old story about a man who was sliding off his roof and he cried out to God to save him.  About that time a nail caught his britches and he said, "Never mind, God, this nail saved me."  Too many people live risky lives,  neglecting to stay in the presence of the Father.  They only want Him when they are in trouble. Your absence from the presence of the Father paints a bright yellow bullseye on your back and it says, "Hey, devil, I'm weak!  Attack me!"   Stay, remain, dwell...in your Father's presence.  It's safe there.

#4.  Identify the culprit.  Point him out.  Who attacked you?  Who threatened you?  What/Who is it that is stealing your peace?  What or who is a threat to your children?  Why are finances scarce?  I can just see myself sitting beside Jesus Christ and pointing to the enemy of my soul and saying, "There he is, Jesus! That's him!"  Yes, I feel pretty tough sitting in the presence of Jesus and naming the culprit! 

#5.  Wait.  There are battles in life that must be fought under the direction and guidance of God.  Check them out in the Old Testament.  They moved when He said to move.  They fought when He said to fight.  They conquered at His command.  And not until.  There are times you are to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  You will win no war unless you follow His Word.  But if you obey the Word, there's is no army big enough nor strong enough to stand against you. 

#6.  Watch.   Faith comes into play here.  The teen stood by and watched the event unfold.  She had done all she could.  She did all that was within her strength to do.  She stood by and watchde her father take action against her enemy.  If you have little faith, you probably won't be still and watch.  You will get involved, but in ways that only hinder.  Little faith is why we prefer to be involved.  The flesh itches to be busy.  Pride and Ego call the shots.  We call everyone we know and talk - we blame - we get in the way.  Stop.  Watch God work.  Be still.  Be quiet.

#7. Rejoice.  The young girl saw her enemy brought down and held captive.  She watched her dad.  He was her deliverer!   She could go home, untouched, unharmed, and unafraid.  I see her racing inside her home - hugging her mom and other family members.  No doubt she is one happy gal...knowing her dad fought for her that day. 

Well, we've covered a lot in this blog.  I just want you to know one thing.   Your Heavenly Father loves you so much more than your earthly father.  Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13 tell us that if our earthly father knows how to give good gifts... how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him - and how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them who ask? 

You have a strong and loving heavenly Father.  Run to Him. Call to Him.  Stay in His presence. Watch Him work in your behalf.  Identify the real enemy.  Wait on the Lord.  Watch and pray.  And lastly, Rejoice.  Your Heavenly Father loves you, too.
...

It starts with an "H"

Her age?  Oh, I'd say about 18 or 19. 

She was part of the crowd of people that gathered outside for a hot meal and to watch the ministry of Arisen.  I don't know if she was homeless, too, or if she just lived in the nearby apartment building.  It is my understanding that each Thursday night a meal is provided for the homeless and others who happen to join them.  Tonight, Arisen had come to minister.  Arisen is a dance/drama team comprised of anointed young people from various churches.

She walked up to a couple and asked, "Can ya'll pray with me?"  Of course they said yes.  She put her plate of food on the table.  Prayer happened, along with a word regarding her need to give up some 'stuff' - and she agreed there was 'stuff' that she kept picking up, again and again and that's why she wanted prayer.  They asked if she had a Bible.  The young lady answered, "Yes, I do.  But I can't read very well."  After discussing options regarding assistance for learning to read, she was asked another question.  "What kind of Bible do you have?"  She looked at them and said, "Well...it starts with an 'H'..."  They responded, "Do  you mean 'Holy' Bible?"  She said, "Yes." 

I viewed a phone video of Arisen ministering tonight, and in the midst of the crowd was a man wearing a yellow jacket and blue hat.  He was dancing his heart out.  And he kept dancing...as long as Arisen danced...he danced.  He never stopped.  My heart melted.

In that same video a certain woman was pointed out to me.  I don't know her name.  But this is her story:  she tried to pull out in front of an eighteen-wheeler today, hoping to end her life.  My heart melted again.  Instead of ending her life, here she sat, listening and watching, while the love of Jesus was being delivered to hurting hearts.

Thank the Lord for Arisen.  They presented the gospel with energetic and anointed movements... movements to music...capturing the attention of souls needing to see a Jesus with skin on...or desperate to feel the touch of a human, as hands were laid on them in prayer...or desirous to hear the words that Jesus loves them.  Yearning for someone with a message of love to come their way.  Looking and longing for a presence that sends the message:  God loves you and life can be worth living.

I believe Arisen caused Heaven's door to swing open wide tonight...and angels watched with wild excitement as these young folks and adult workers reached out to souls.  Actually, isn't this why we exist?  I read a friend's post on facebook this morning: "Just bought lunch for a homeless guy; it's our duty to bless..."  Heaven takes notice when humans act like Jesus!


I was told that one woman stood at her apartment door, dancing along with the youth as they glorified God.  God bless that lady!  Life is hard.  She deserved an opportunity to stand at her door and dance!  Would to God that we all would celebrate God by standing at our door and dancing!  We might feel much better and at the same time catch our neighbor's eye.  Then, when they ask what on earth we are doing...we might be able to share the glorious news of Jesus with them...well, just maybe.  Who knows? 

Oh, I forgot.  I meant to ask you a question before I end this blog.  Do you have a Bible?  What kind it is?  Does it start with an "H"?  I hope so.  Don't forget, "H" stands for "Holy"...  Holy, as in ... God.
...

"G"



Photo by Jane



Please, always....

capitalize the "G"

when writing/typing

the Name "God"...

Keep His Name Holy.

Jews do not casually write any Name of God.  It is often written "G-d" lest the Name be disgraced permanently by printing the page.  People lacking spiritual character have used those two letters in cursing by giving our Most Holy God a last name.  It's used freely by adults.  Children listen.  If  you use God's Name for slang - your children will do the same.  Their respect for God will be just as small as yours.

There's either a lack of knowledge on the part of people or a lack of reverence, I don't know which.  Too often, His Name is carelessly typed using the lower case.  Lower case "g" is used when referring to idols...people...man-made gods.  God's Names, in all of their forms, are treated with enormous respect and reverence in Judaism.  Have we already forgotten Matthew 6:9?     ^"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed (Kept Holy) be thy name."

I realize folks mean no harm - but taking time to hold down the shift key in order to capitalize the letter "G" should be done out of respect and reverence to the Godhead...just as you would capitalize "Jesus" or "Holy Spirit".  We've become lazy and disrespectful of His Name.  It's used freely as a curse word....a slang word..and most used often in expressing amazement...."My _ _ _ "....Where did we lose our awe and love for the Name of God?  He is still the great I AM....Lord God Jehovah...El Shaddai, the Almighty!  People, let's keep His Name Holy!!

JUDAISM 101:
The commandment not to erase or deface the name of God comes from Deut. 12:3. In that passage, the people are commanded that when they take over the promised land, they should destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region, and should utterly destroy the names of the local deities. Immediately afterwards, we are commanded not to do the same to our God. From this, the rabbis inferred that we are commanded not to destroy any holy thing, and not to erase or deface a Name of God.

It is worth noting that this prohibition against erasing or defacing Names of God applies only to Names that are written in some kind of permanent form, and recent rabbinical decisions have held that writing on a computer is not a permanent form, thus it is not a violation to type God's Name into a computer and then backspace over it or cut and paste it, or copy and delete files with God's Name in them. However, once you print the document out, it becomes a permanent form. That is why observant Jews avoid writing a Name of God on web sites like this one or in newsgroup messages: because there is a risk that someone else will print it out and deface it.
Normally, we avoid writing the Name by substituting letters or syllables, for example, writing "G-d" instead of "God." In addition, the number 15, which would ordinarily be written in Hebrew as Yod-Hei (10-5), is normally written as Teit-Vav (9-6), because Yod-Hei is a Name.


I suppose we all have our pet peeves and this is one that bothers me most. Keep the Name Holy, folks.  Just Keep it Holy.  God is all we have.  Let's not ruin His Name.
...

AM IDOL

I enjoy watching American Idol.  The talent is exceptional this year.  The contestants experience a wide range of emotions...from tears to anger, or sometimes great excitement.  Tonight started the process of narrowing the final number down to twenty-four.  America gets involved in this.  We become acquainted with the individuals and as they perform weekly we soon choose our favorite, the 'one' deserving to be the next American Idol.  That's fun. 

America loves entertainment.  Men and women exhibit great acting skills by moving and speaking in a precise manner at the right moment...for a particular impact on the audience.  Recording artists excel with vocals.  Musicians make the world go 'round.  Authors provide hours of reading pleasure. 

But:  One thing I've learned in life - everyone has talent.  Never judge a book by its cover and never underestimate a person's ability to perform.  Some of the most talented folks I've ever met shine brilliantly when they enter the kitchen and rattle those pots and pans.  Cooking, sewing, carpentry, administration, teaching, mechanics....there's no end to the talent inside people.

Where would we be without people who used their talents and abilities to enrich our life...they've helped us over and over.  Thank God we have each other.  God has been good to us.  When you think you have nothing to offer...look again.  You've been a source of encouragement more than you know.  Eternity alone will reveal moments when you touched a life.  For example: when you helped someone fix a flat tire...the time you cooked a meal for a family in need...or simply spoke a word of kindness just at the time it was needed.

The least appreciated effort must certainly include those whom we (in the church world) refer to as prayer warriors.  Unseen, unrecognized, they are the internal combustion engine that propels the ship through deep waters - they are as fuel to a rocket engine.  These people had an inner desire and God-given ability to put one knee down, then the other...and they stayed there until they were spent in prayer.  That's a gift, also.
 
Thank God for placing gifts in men/women.  You have a lot to offer.  You have a gift. It's in there.  You are a person of worth. 
....

Celebrate To Motivate

It's Thursday, February 17, 2011.  My how time flies...whether you're having fun or not!  It's beautiful outside.  The sun is shinning.  I'm just finishing my morning cup of cappuccino and wondering how to get motivated for the day.  Have you noticed:  there's always more to do than we can possibly accomplish in one day.  We work 'till we drop and the next day there's just as much on our 'to-do' list.  FYI:  You will never get it all done.  Each day has it's demands.  The real daily issue is motivation.

MOTIVATE
I read (somewhere) that if you read positive motivational quotes to encourage and empower yourself. You will start feeling better of yourself.  Obviously, if you feel better about yourself you will get it done, pull it off, nail it....you will achieve ...achieve  means 'to bring to a successful conclusion'  and accomplish  means 'to perform fully'. 

Your energy level rises as your outlook on life increases.  That's a fact.  If you feel defeated, sluggish, or unhappy with life, raise/improve the mental image of who you are and what you can do. 

Jim Rohn - The guy says, "When you work where I work, by the time you get home, it's late. You've got to have a bite to eat, watch a little TV, relax and get to bed. You can't sit up half the night planning, planning, planning." And he's the same guy who is behind on his car payment!

John Lubbock - A day of worry is more exhausting than a day of work.

Dale Carnegie - Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.

Denis Waitley - The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.

David wrote in Psalm 42:5  "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.

You must have a sense of success at the end of the day. 

CELEBRATE

Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." This portion from the message Bible reads: This is the very day God acted—let's celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God - a free and full life!

Celebrating increases motivation. You will never celebrate if you wait until you feel like it.  Choose to celebrate!   The Lord made this day and...because He gave me life on this day that He made...I have the right to celebrate! If God acted on this day - I should act, too!

Celebrate: to observe a day or commemorate an event

with ceremonies or festivities -

glorify, honor, applaud, commend. 

The Lord created the day - but it's up to us to rejoice in the day.  Wrap your mind around the fact that you have the choice to rejoice.  Celebrate on purpose. Celebrate something, even if it is small!   Allow yourself to live!  Give yourself permission to have a good life.  The more you exert control over the day - the more reason you find to live.  Celebrate...and you will discover more reason to celebrate.

We have this motivational thing backward!  Publications and qualified speakers inspire us to be motivated in order to accomplish.  They are accomplished motivators!  But...when the session is concluded, the class disbanded, you are home, and life returns to 'normal' - motivation ceases.  Why?  Because there's no action on your part to determine the day.  External motivation alone is short-lived.   God made the day - He acted.  We have a day - we should act. Your action is faith in motion.  That's power.  Rejoice.  Celebrate.

Celebration leads to Motivation!  God is right, as usual.

Celebrate...to Motivate
.

Story of a Sage and a Prince

Boredom launched my online search for funny stories.  I stumbled on a web site for children.  I wanted to share this one.  It's a children's story with a great lesson for all ages.  I think you will like it.

THREE SMALL DOLLS

A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was not amused.

"Am I a girl that you give me dolls?" he asked.
"This is a gift for a future king," said the man. "If you look carefully, you'll see a hole in the ear of each doll."
"So?"

The sage handed him a piece of string.
"Pass it through each doll," he said.
Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear.
It came out from the other ear.
"This is one type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him, comes out from the other ear. He doesn't retain anything."

The prince put the string into the second doll. It came out from the mouth.
"This is the second type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else."
The prince picked up the third doll and repeated the process. The string did not reappear from anywhere else.

"This is the third type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him is locked up within him. It never comes out."

"What is the best type of person?" asked the prince.

The man handed him a fourth doll, in answer.
When the prince put the string into the doll, it came out from the other ear.
"Do it again," said the sage. The prince repeated the process. This time the string came out from the mouth. When he put the string in a third time, it did not come out at all.

"This is the best type of person," said the sage. "To be trustworthy, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out."

THE 7th MAN !

Never underestimate the presence, power, or purpose of Jesus Christ.  To be honest, I am thrilled to tell you that Jesus cannot be restrained by our religious legalism or finite perceptions of Who He is - What He can do or Where He can go.  I am excited to tell you that Jesus can and will do that which He has resolved to do.  He does not ask for my permission as He connects with humanity, calling the least likely, anointing the unlovable, showing up when we least expect it...He just IS and WILL be in control.   I am grateful beyond measure that there is a 'just' God in Heaven! 

The Word tells of encounters between Jesus and people...when they least expected it.  One of my favorites is the woman at the well, found in John 4.  Jesus told his disciples: I need to go through Samaria.   They arrived at a well.  Jesus sat there while He sent the disciples into town to buy food.  A woman came to draw water from that same well.  She didn't know Jesus.  She wasn't expecting a face-to-face conversation with the Son of God!  She was a Samaritan. Jesus asked her for a cup of water.  Now, Jews didn't share a cup with a Samaritan! Especially with a woman whose life had little value.  She was despised, had an abusive past, a rejected person, a person at her wit's end...and even worse, she was a woman scorned by society...and to think, Jesus was waiting for her! 

This is what I'm trying to relate about Jesus!  He makes appointments with rejected, hurting people and He doesn't wait for an RSVP.  Knowing everything about this woman's life...Jesus deliberately traveled to the exact location...at the exact time, knowing she would be there.  And...He arrived ahead of her!  This unnamed woman didn't know how to be spiritual...she only perceived the natural world.  She didn't know how to make this spiritual moment happen!  She was just doing what she did every day.  Just doing life.  Nothing more. 

Another point:  He sent the men away for food.  She would not have been comfortable around them, after all, they were Jewish.  She would have been less approachable had they remained.  That which could not have happened in the presence of several...did happen in the presence of the One.  Jesus will clear the room, if necessary, in order to have a private talk with you.  He protected her. He knew she was fragile.  Oh, that we could see the frail, thin thread holding a life together, rather than focusing on the external marks of sin.  He didn't slam her with condemnation for her past nor did he look down on her.  He spoke to her as a loving father.

In the middle east when you ask for something, you've just lowered yourself.  Jesus lowered Himself... as with the woman caught in adultery...He stooped.  You can't 'stoop' and appear self-righteous at the same time.  Jesus is all about life-change.  It is Kingly...to place the need in a life above the pride of who we are...or...who we think we are!  The conversation at the well provided Jesus opportunity to transform a fleshly focused woman.  Through spiritual enlightenment she gained a revelation of the identity of the Son of God!

I so appreciate the extreme love shown by Jesus for humanity.   When I don't understand / He explains.  When I am not spiritual / He doesn't avoid me.  When I have pain / He heals.  When I don't have a clue about how to meet him / He just arranges an appointment and waits for me to show up.  When I don't know what to say / He initiates the conversation.

Conclusion:  Jesus told the woman at the well that she'd had five husbands...and the man she was living with was not her husband. Do the math.  Her life became whole, transformed, enlightened, and her shame turned to boldness, after a conversation, a face-to-face meeting (which she didn't arrange) with the Son of God - - -
     SHE MET THE 7th MAN AND SHE WAS NEVER THE SAME.

Oh, by the way,  "7" is God's Number of Completion! 

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
.

Buzzard Food

...not a vulture...NOON, 2/5/11

The two of us were enjoying the pool's warm water and soaking in the sun's rays.  A few other people were there.  One lady was stretched out in a lounge located in the opposite corner of the pool area, sunbathing.  Suddenly, vultures or buzzards flew overhead.  At least three birds continued to cruise...circling the air space above our heads.  Not good.  Big birds.  Not good.  They resembled the vultures or buzzards portrayed in western movies...those you see circling above a carcass. 

We watched.  And kept watching.  I was a little bothered!   I'd always heard there was something dead nearby whenever buzzards kept circling - and they were getting ready to enjoy dinner.  I find it strange that while flying so far up in the air they can still spot something not moving on the ground.   Their eyesight must be incredible.  Two or three of these big black birds were hanging around a little too long for comfort...my comfort! 

I saw no reason for these birds to do their thing at the pool...we were alive and moving!  Only the lady in the lounge chair at the far end was not moving.  I named her "The Still Lady."  By this time I made a wise decision: keep moving.  Look alive!   I read that vultures usually don't kill their prey and they seldom attack healthy animals, but they will often kill the wounded or sick.  I couldn't help but relate this to something spiritual.

Titus 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Here's a gross fact (as though you needed to know): Vultures urinate straight down their legs; the uric acid kills bacteria accumulated from walking through carcasses. I told you it was gross !! How disgusting is the enemy! The enemy of our soul is beyond disgusting! He is putrid. He is repugnant. Disgusting.

Spiritual inactivity results in a lifeless condition.  It's dangerous to appear as road kill.  Road kill invites vultures.  Prolonged hopelessness, guilt...can eat away at a healthy Christian until they become spiritually sick.  Alive, but paralyzed.  The enemy walks (or flys in this case) to and fro, seeking whom he may devour...his eyes lock on the sickness...he flys to the atmosphere of helplessness...circles overhead, watching and waiting for the disease of dispair to weaken his prey...patiently soaring, knowing his moment to move in and devour (1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:).  John 10:10 tells us that the thief comes to where we are with the purpose to destroy us.  He has no other interest.

HE IS NOT: 

- a little man in a red suit with horns/pitchfork. 
- your friend.
- providing a people party in hell, complete with trays of treats. 

Jesus came to give abundant life - the kind of life which shows the world that we are alive while living. Maybe you need to become active - move - go forward - let your speech be positive - look alive! You deserve to live and you have a right to love living. Jesus is for you. He wants you to renew your strength and soar like an eagle. Look Alive! Could it be that you've become lethargic...and the enemy is soaring above you...waiting for you to weaken?


John 10:10  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  As the Message Bible says:  I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Remember:  You are not road kill.  You are valuable to God.  You may have problems, but you are still 'alive' and you can defeat the enemy and continually rejoice in the knowledge of who you are in Christ.  Jesus overcame the world.  Victory awaits you.  If life has made it impossible for you to pursue your profession - then you can began to pursue your dream.  You must not lie down in defeat.  God will make a way when and where there seems to be no way!

Sometime later (at the pool) I looked for "The Still Lady" at the other end of the pool and she was gone.  All of a sudden a huge buzzard flew close overhead.  I figured it was time to leave.  And I did.  After all, I have things to do!!

.....

People. We need them.

For over a month now I've visited friends, family...covering many miles.  It's been good. It all started just before Christmas.  I remember how cold the weather was as I drove to NW Arkansas on the way to my grandson's house for Christmas Eve.  I stopped at the store to pick up items needed for making a huge pot of chicken and dumplings.  Oh my, it was cold!  Chilling...cold.  But we had such a great time.  I have 2 children and several grands....all totaling eleven if I include those connected by marriage.  We drove from different states just to enjoy that one evening together.  Since that night, I've taken time to be with friends and family. 

Life is fast paced.  Seldom do we have time to just visit.  Families no longer live close in one community, as in years past.  We are scattered from state to state.  Fortunately, technology allows us to maintain contact easily.   Facebook is a great tool for social contact.  It's allowed me to reconnected with friends from the past and touch base with relatives that I seldom see.  Now I can keep up with folks through their posts and pictures.  I feel that they are a part of my life again. 

I enjoyed visiting, but now it's coming to an end.  It's time to settle down - work at being productive.  I've learned that staying busy is not the same as being productive.  Most of all, I desire to be productive for the Kingdom of God.  Thankfully, our life can glorify Him as we live out each day.  Even writing this blog can be a source of service for my Lord.

I thank the Lord that we have each other.  We can't live without friends and family.  I don't have brothers or sisters...so every church family became like relatives to me.  People are a God's gift to us.  Oh, that we would take the time to enlarge our list of contacts - build new relationships - and keep each other encouraged.

Maybe this can be your new resolution this year.  Determine to enrich your own life by reaching out to someone you've had little or no contact with for some time...or to a person in need.  Isolation and loneliness easily drains the joy of living for many folks - you can make such a difference in their life.  I have a feeling it's a lot easier to do than we realize.  You are creative.  You have a lot of love to give. Never underestimate who you are and what you have to give to others.  As you share love - you increase satisfaction and fulfillment in your own life.  

I challenge you to reach out - overcome timidity - touch a life - because one day...that person will reach out to you...and probably at the time you need it most.

Thank God for people.   There are plenty of them out there for us..and they are valuable.

Be blessed...
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What Do You Want To Do Next?

I opened a new tab on my computer - and those words appeared at the top of the page, printed in blue slightly darker than the background, subdued, yet with just enough color to catch my attention. 

What do you want to do next?

This is an interesting question...What do you want to do next?  The question implies that I have already done something and now it's time to do something different.  What do I want to do next?   What do you want to do next?

The first of the year seems to be our opportunity to launch a new beginning - steer the course of our life in a different direction - fulfill the dreams which have loomed before us for years - make life count.  Your answer to this question might be different than mine...yet we still want to do something "Next" - the question is ...what...and how...
  

Most of us don't have a clear map in front of us saying "go here" - "do this" - yet we all long for a life that's filled with purpose, provision and in the right place.  God put inside of us a longing to be and to do more than we have already become and done.  This is what drives us.  It keeps us from being satisfied with mediocre living.  If you aren't satisfied with the "same" -  that can be a good thing. It means you are searching and longing for what you want to do next...

The new tab also displayed options below the question "What do you want to do next?"....and there are options in your life as well.  A person who knows Jesus Christ as Savior is never boxed in.  Our Creator makes a way when there seems to be no way.  That means that our life is not over. There are options we've not yet discovered.  There are doors not yet opened.

 

The starting point for "What's Next" doesn't begin with us.  Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life gives great insight: 
...we typically begin at the wrong starting point—ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like, “What do  I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future?”  But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.

The Bible says, “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.”

Contrary to what many popular books, movies, and seminars tell you, you won't discover your life’s meaning by looking within yourself.  You’ve probably tried that already.  You didn’t create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for!  If I handed you an invention you had never seen before, you wouldn’t know its purpose and the invention itself  wouldn't be able to tell you either.  Only the creator or the owner's manual could reveal its purpose.

So, What's Next?  What's next is simple.  Obviously, it is seeking the Creator.  What's next ... could be nothing more than building a strong relationship with the Lord.  Getting to know Him...spending time with Him.   He provides the manual for our lives.  I can trust Him.  He has quite a reputation for parting the sea, walking on water, closing the mouths of hungry lions, raising the dead, and confusing the enemy. 


While I'm soaking in His presence and allowing Him to lavish His love on me  -  probably...the "What's Next" will appear.  It will be accurate, fulfilling...complete with purpose, provision, place and total fulfillment.  Sigh a sigh of satisfaction...What God does in me and for me and with me... will be right.  It will work.


"I love my life" ... "I love living" appears frequently on facebook posts...not all of us can honestly say that because there's still a vacancy in our purpose department.  God meant for us to love being alive and love living.  It's a waste to be alive and not love living.  Jesus came so that we could have life abundantly.  Most of us just need to seek the Kingdom ....  Revelation is better than Speculation.  We can stop speculating when we receive a revelation from God.

Andrei Bitov, a Russian novelist, grew up under a government that

denied the existence of God.  But God got his attention one dreary day.

He recalls, "In my twenty-seventh year, while riding the metro

in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) I was overcome with a despair

so great that life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely,

let alone any meaning.  Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared:

"Without God life makes no sense."

Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving

staircase, got out of the metro and walked into God's light.

If life without God makes no sense - then life with God makes perfect sense.  I'm looking for "What's Next" and only my Creator has the answer.  He has an answer for your "What's Next" as well.  Don't give up.  Go for it.  The year awaits.

What do you want to do next?

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