Alphabet Poem

Christian Alphabet

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in Thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o thank is a command
U ntil we see him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God's Most High
Y es, there will be good times, and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad.Author Unknown

Be encouraged today, dear reader...Redeem the time at hand!

Look UP my friends!

A Calm Surface

Have you ever walked into the ocean and been unexpectedly knocked off your feet by the under tow? The ocean and its waves didn’t look very turbulent on the surface, but the next thing you know; you’re spitting out salt water and scratching your knees on the sand in order to stand up quickly – so that the next wave doesn’t knock you down again.

Life Lesson: It can be easy to be deceived by a calm surface. Below the surface, there’s often great chaos and disorder. We may not know when someone is struggling on the inside.

A co-worker told me last week that she ‘felt like a pond’ on the property where we work together. She literally said, “I feel about like that pond right now.”  I looked at the smooth, green, murky water before I asked her to clarify what she meant. I noticed a few geese casually puttering around. The surface was smooth – I didn’t notice anything obviously out of place as the evening sun hit the water. It was a pretty scene on an otherwise cold and dreary fall day.

She said, ‘I’m calm on the outside. But underneath I’m a mess.” Okay – so THAT analogy I understood! The pond was smooth as glass and serene in its appearance, but under the cold depths there were bustling fish, aggressive snapping turtles, and lots of wood and debris.

Our lives can be like that too ~ too much spiritual debris! Christians aren’t immune to chaos and emotional fatigue. In fact, we’re pretty successful of putting our best foot forward and planting a smile on our faces, when on the inside, we might really be hurting, stressed, wounded, or overwhelmed. I’ve made a list of pointers for times like that…

#1 – Regardless of how deep your pain goes, God’s love goes deeper.

#2 – Don’t seek revenge or justice – leave that to the Lord. Rather than being confrontational, be still. Give it some time. Don’t be reactionary.

#3 – Understand that your value does not lie in your net worth, your job title, your appearance, or society’s perception of you. Your worth is only and entirely based on your royal position, as a child of the King, God Himself.

#4 – God understands that all humans are weak. We all have that in common – nobody is “better” than anyone else. We’re equals when it comes to how God sees us. You’ve heard the saying, “The ground is level at the foot of the Cross!”

#5 – Jesus is the BEST cardiologist there is. Nobody knows the HEART like HE does!

It’s not enough to be calm on the surface – it is important that our spirits remain calm too!

Look UP my friends!  

Today’s Prayer:  I pray this day that God, you, will grant me a deep peace. A deeper serenity. One that penetrates the surface and reaches to the very bottom of my soul. I pray that you help me to be still, and KNOW that you are God.  Help me to know the presence of your loving power within me. You are the Price of Peace and I need that peace in my heart today. I know you have ME in the palm of your hand. You have never failed before, and I am encouraged to know you will not start now. You don’t need me, but I need you, Lord. I am calm in the knowledge that you are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Things to Remember During Hard Times

There are many events in our lives over which we have no control. For a “type A” personality, those events can be especially difficult! For “the peacemakers” and “people oriented” individuals it is particularly easier said than done.

You understand that we have a choice to endure trying and stressful times and press on – or we can give up – throw in the white towel of surrender.

The secret to happy survival is whether or not we question the following 3 things:

·         God’s permissive will

·         His presence

·         His promises

We must remember that our hope is in the fairness, goodness, and justice of God!

Four Things To Remember During Hard Times:

~ Make peace with who you are! We’re not perfect. Most Christians don’t claim perfection, but we proclaim forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.

~ Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it also full of good blessings!

~Know where you going, but understand God guides your footsteps! You may recall that old adage, “Knowing where you’re going is only half – you must know where you’ve been!”

~People who love you demonstrate it! God demonstrated HIS love. Our genuine family and friends will too!

I read a sign today that said, “A small detour doesn’t mean you have to stop! It just means it may take a little longer to get there.”

Look UP my friends!

Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, please direct our paths. Make your Word a lamp unto our feet. Help us to fully trust you – to demonstrate your Word both in our actions and speech. Keep before us the clear vision you’ve set for our intended path in this lifetime. Put our talents, skills, and good intentions to the highest and best use for your glory! Help me to give the love I know I was put here to give. Show me the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Value In Dirt Roads

The late, great Paul Harvey said, “What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many dirt roads have been paved.” Radio legend Harvey was partly famous for his, “The rest of the story” broadcast. Perhaps you’ve heard it? He was recently categorized as “the most listened to man” in America.

So what did he mean about dirt roads? The county in which I live, and its surrounding counties still have plenty of dirt roads, but they do seem to be fewer and fewer. My mother in law lives off of a dirt road…I picture the rocks, gravel, pine trees, and miscellaneous squirrels and country dogs that meander daily on her dirt road.

Harvey said, “There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character. People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride.”

That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog. We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along. There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.

Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun. And there were no drive by shootings. Our values were better when our roads were worse!

Mr. Harvey so poignantly said, “People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks. Dirt Roads taught patience. Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk. For your mail, you walked to the mail box.”

What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody. At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap! (I have a specific childhood memory of my brother on that example…)

Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole. An old dirt road might lead to your “home place” or a cabin in the woods.

At the end of a Dirt Road, Harvey stated, "The only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini."

He went on to say...At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out. Usually you got a glass of lemonade…always you got a new friend...at the end of a Dirt Road!

Where is your dirt road? Is it metaphorically your church home? Your family? Your Bible? Do you have a REAL dirt road that takes you back home? Where is the road taking you on this week’s journey??

As I contemplate those questions for myself, I think of the old Denver song, "Country roads...take me home...to the place I belong!"

Look UP my friends!!

Oreos and Obsessions

When I read today’s headlines, my first response was, “I knew it!”

“Oreos are as addictive as cocaine, say scientist (who also discover the cream in the middle really IS the best part)” says the article.

Cookies can be as addictive to the brain as cocaine, the authors of a scientific study have claimed. Who knew?! Well, I knew this. You probably knew this. I’ve jokingly said it for years. “These things are like crack. They’re addictive.”  (Not that I’ve tried crack, but we as a public at large understand its addicting qualities).

"The chocolate cookies have been found to trigger the same neurons in the brain's 'pleasure centre' as the outlawed drug during extensive lab testing on rats," said the article. Neuroscientist Joseph Schroeder from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, led research into the addictive effect of the indulgent treat.

Speaking of his findings, Schroeder said: 'Just like humans, rats don’t seem to get much pleasure out of eating rice cakes.' Well that certainly rings true! I’m not a scientist, but I could have easily participated in THAT study.

This addiction to “cookies” leads me to think about things that I AM drawn to. What AM I addicted to, metaphorically, for the cause of Christ?  Am I giving God rice cakes when I really LOVE the chocolate cookies more? Do I choose things of God over everything else in my life, as most addictions cause us to do? The thing about obsession is this – when we have that obsession in our lives – everything else takes second place. (It leaves no room for doubt, worry, laziness, fear, and discomforts either. The addiction comes first!)

Is it a bad thing to be obsessed with the Cross? To consistently and consciously endeavor to put God first in our lives in ALL things? I’ve had “friends and family members” to tell me that it IS a waste of time. That I lose out in the end because I don’t participate in certain things. Or act a certain way. (I’m not being legalistic, as I write this).  The opinion of being “too obsessed with church” is wrong. I totally disagree. Beyond disagreeing, I reject that idea totally. Because we know what God’s Word teaches us in the Bible.

Healthy Things to be Obsessed With

1)      God’s Word – It is a good thing to be so obsessed with God’s Word that we cannot go to work or go to sleep without it. Our spirits should require it daily! John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2)       God’s House of Worship – Our hearts and spirits should be drawn to His house. It’s where we fellowship and receive help. If you go too long without being inside God’s house, something is wrong. Your spirit should actively crave His presence in His house! You should miss it!

3)       God Himself – Our thoughts should be on Him throughout the day, every day. The book of Psalm says that God is our refuge. He is our strong tower. When we stay connected to HIM, it means other things are kept out! We need to be obsessed with His shelter of protection from the enemy.

4)       Spreading the Gospel – We spread the Gospel by how we live. You may not have opportunity to go on a missions trip, but you can still sow seeds. Your life reflects your light! Random acts of kindness. A kind word. An act of service. Not being obsessed with ourselves! Those are good ways to start!

Don’t cheat yourself out of miraculous blessings and truths by NOT abiding in obsessive companionship with God! Go ahead – forget the rice cake – enjoy the cookie! You KNOW you want it. I LOVE the center of an Oreo, don’t you?

Look UP my friends!

Getting Unstuck

I met a kind, gentle lady recently. We met ‘standing in line’ at a lengthy cashier’s counter. Target ® if I must confess. (Said with a grin, you may not know that Target is MY store)

Within short manner, she told me that it was her birthday and that she had made a complete mess of her 45 years on earth. {Her words, not mine}.  She said she hoped to be thin, enjoying a happy marriage with two grown kids by now, but none of it had come to fruition and her aspirations for a career in healthcare were short-lived as well. She didn’t PLAN to live the life she was living, she said.

She said she hated her job, didn’t respect her bosses, and basically stuck it out for the paycheck. Between car payments and house payments, it was all she could do to stay afloat. It had been a long 9 years at her current job location. She had given up on marriage two husbands ago, and her newly adopted kitten was sick and she was hoping to take it to the veterinarian in a few days if she could conjure up the money.

Boy! You can LEARN a lot about someone just by listening! My heart went out to this nice stranger. She was practically in the valley of “the shadow of death” in my opinion! Problems can be like that…they snowball. They grow. They exacerbate in our minds. The next thing you know, you’re overwhelmed and asking, “How did this happen? What did I do wrong?”

If you’ve read this blog before, then you may recall that I think all birthdays are occasions to celebrate. Time is a gift from God. So, I offered to buy her a quick cup of birthday coffee on my way back to work. She politely declined, but I told her no, I was buying it anyway.

I had no idea what to order (I’m not a coffee drinker) but the new pumpkin latte sounded good to me – so I went back with my small bounty of lattes in hand. (She was finished checking out her purchases by now). She smiled really big – and thanked me profusely. I wished her a happy birthday and ended our conversation with a brief hug. Or, so I thought.

Before departing she asked me a brilliant question. It’s a question that I’ve been thinking about on and off ever since I met this woman. She said, “You seem like you have your act together. What do you suggest I do to get unstuck from this hole I’m in?”

Yowza! My eyes were probably golf ball size. “That’s a great question. I’m not a life coach. I’m just a simple girl. A Christian. I do have my share of adversity and ridiculousness to contend with. But, off the cuff I’d suggest you apply the ‘Birds of a feather flock together,’ principle that our grandparents used to use.”

Getting UNSTUCK…

·         Try to avoid surrounding yourself with constant negativity. It makes your ‘hole’ feel deeper and larger.

·         Figure out WHAT and WHO you’re in the rabbit hole with. We often gravitate to like mannered and like-minded people. Use caution!

·          Look UP to get out!

·         Find a good Bible teaching and preaching church. Not everything that walks and quacks like a duck is really a duck. Attend faithfully.

·         It’s not easy, but stand up for yourself in the work place - don’t persecute others but be assertive when necessary.

·         Make changes little by little – you don’t have to leap buildings in a single bound like Super Man.

·         Surround yourself with GOOD things and BETTER people. Something is wrong if you feel like you’re dodging bullets all day, every day.

·         Try to make a positive difference in someone else’s life. Little things add up when you’re trying to be a blessing to someone else.

·         The sticks and stones of heartbreak do not belong in the heart of a Christian. Not long term.

·         Understand that in the middle of darkness, the darkness is not forever. LIGHT can invade the darkest crevices.

I gave her a second little hug, an invitation to church, told her about this blog, and final “Happy birthday” wishes. We departed. I hope she wound up having a good day, in spite of her sadness.

Reader – I encourage you…do NOT fall into the enemy’s hole of defeat. The Christian is not stuck!  Look out. Look Up. Look Around. His Hand is there to pull you out.

Look UP my friends!

Negative, Negative, Negative

Proverbs 29:11 (KJV) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

I’m going to admit/confess something in today’s blog…it is a dynamic of my life that I usually try to minimize to others. There are some things that many people just simply cannot handle – and there are awkward and uncomfortable pieces of ourselves that we all deal with. But God has been impressing upon my heart, to expose and share this part, so that it may encourage someone else. Maybe you.

I deal with negative energy and negative people almost every day of my life. Negative. Just the word sends a message right to my soul! Honestly, I have always been surrounded by genuinely negative people, and most likely, I always will. I don’t resent it (most days at least) because I have come to accept that it’s one of the reasons God created me!

With that said, when I’ve completed my work day, I try to avoid as much negativity as possible. I like to surround myself with peaceful, positive, and loving people or things at the end of an exhausting day. (Life Moment: for the record, it IS exhausting to be around constant negativity. Don’t let people tell you it isn’t!) It’s one reason I’m actively diligent in creating an inviting, clean, pleasant, and aromatic home for my family. (I said ‘clean’, because my husband and I tend to feel stressed in a chaotic atmosphere).

Restated, when I’m done addressing, interacting, diffusing, calming, soothing, de-escalating, encouraging, consoling, and listening to the public at large…I’m not readily open to add more negative energy into my life! We or I at least, must have a haven of rest!

I believe it is because of this ‘lifestyle ministry’ of dealing with everything negative, that God blessed me with the specific husband I have. (After all, HE gave him to me!) My husband is, in my opinion, a wellspring of encouragement. He oozes positive good will. He’s genuinely optimistic and easy going. Fun to be around! I did say he’s an encourager, right? Bonus characteristic ~ he’s not phony. He’s a genuinely upbeat and honest guy. His ability to offer refreshing energy is just profound. After ALL of the negativity I’m surrounded by day in and day out, there’s just no other word than profound.

Another confession – there have been times that his ability to look at the bright side, the forgiving side, the Christian side, and the funny side of circumstances has made me mad. I laugh to myself, as I recall a few moments, when I really wanted him to join in on my moment of sorrow and dejectedness, only to hear him offer some tidbit of encouragement.

The good news? One of the lessons God has taught me through personal illustration, is that we can ALL choose to be happy and encouraging to others if we do a few little things along the way.

 #1 – Smile! It sounds silly, but smiling just makes everyone feel a little better

#2 – Don’t let the enemy see you defeated…Carry on the cause for Christ’s glory

#3 – Recognize external pressures, and do NOT carry them home to your relationships

#4 – Avoid repaying evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with an insult, upon receiving one

God’s Word offers a road map for a happy life in a thoroughly UNHAPPY world! It is important, regardless of your environment, to remain sympathetic, humble, have love for one another…demonstrate compassion! It is your active relationship with a holy GOD that will help you overcome negative situations and find your equilibrium.

Rise above, by looking above to Him!

Look UP my friends!

Your Scent!

I forced myself to clean out a closet in our upstairs bedroom several weeks ago. While I was only half-heartedly tossing items into the “Goodwill” box, I came across a small tattered box that I had written the word “L-O-V-E” on with a thick magic marker. At that moment, I did not remember what was inside at all.

As I opened the two center pieces of cardboard – I instantly recognized my own hand writing.  My eyes began to tear up. My heart caught in my throat for just a second.  I knew what I had discovered – again. Inside was precious cargo!

My husband had saved several love notes that I had given him when we were dating, first married, and a few more recent cards and notes written over the years.

The subtle waft of Estee Lauder’s fragrance, Beautiful, barely permeated my senses. You see, when we were first married, I would spray a tiny bit of perfume on my love notes to him. I wanted him to connect the scent with me. To deepen my presence as he read the words I had penned. I inhaled slowly. I savored the moment as my eyes enjoyed the small collection of intimate communications between husband and wife. Those notes are our love story!

He made a comment once that stuck with me – He said he loved the way my closet smelled. He said it reminded him after a hot, stinky, sweaty, hard day at work – that God had blessed him with a sweet smelling wife. (I know that probably sounds extremely corny, but it meant a lot to me). I’ve changed signature fragrances over the last 20+ years, but I do like to smell good when possible. I enjoy smelling nice for my husband. A nice aroma invites people in a little closer, just as something malodorous offends the senses. (There comes a time in everyone’s life when you realize that our bodies were not created to have a natural, sweet smell all of the time).

Go to camp with teenagers, and you’ll quickly see who refuses to listen to their noses. Live with a teenage boy? Then you understand how quickly holding your breath may be necessary. A body without deodorant or thorough washing doesn’t take too long to break down – and it often leads to great displeasure for those around “the stinky” people.  (Life Moment: Why is it that the stinky person doesn’t seem to notice their own stench? There’s something to think about there!)

God tells us in the King James Bible – Genesis 8:21, “ And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”
 So, God DOES enjoy sweet smelling aromas. (You understand  I’m not referencing baked goods or earthly items – I’m speaking of heavenly things).
I want to encourage you to apply God’s Word in your life – sort of like we do deodorant! A type of spiritual deodorant, if you don’t mind the crass analogy.  It’s necessary every day! It’s a barrier to stench, grime, sin, and joy robbers!

We don’t want our Christian lives to be a SOUR smell to God, but rather a sweet smell to Him! Just like when people notice you’ve showered, put on clean clothes, applied a little perfume or cologne, combed your hair…They also notice the “spiritual deodorant” you wear. It’s true. May sound silly – but it’s true. When the Christian applies honest and sincere Bible truths…a sweet smelling person will exude naturally! A person who chooses to walk with God and live a “sweet smelling savor” lifestyle will undoubtedly be a blessing to be around as well. It is possible to choose this attitude. It’s not easy, mind you, but we CAN make a deliberate choice not to be sour, backbiting, bitter, dishonest, or other negative things that do not smell good to our Heavenly Father.

Every Christian should be a sweet smelling savor to God…keep this in mind the next time you feel the dirt and grime of the world trying to permeate your deodorant! Be aware of your scent!

Look UP my friends!

Rocking The Boat

I don’t deliberately try to stand out, draw attention, show-boat, or be the “odd person out,” in a group…but nonetheless, I find myself there sometimes. Perhaps you, too, have found yourself the “odd man on campus” because you were not afraid to stand by single-handedly. You stood for your principles. You’ve followed your beliefs and your God! You may go down, but you go down standing up!  As we southerners say, “It ain’t always easy!”

I probably grew up believing that “rocking the boat” was not a good thing. “Keep your comments to yourself. Keep your hands and feet inside the bars at all times. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything. Don’t eat before you go swimming. Be the bigger person. Blend in. Don’t stick out like a sore thumb!” Since the varied advice came from numerous places, I accepted it as wisdom. “Going with the flow,” seemed like a decent rule of thumb. Don’t rock the metaphorical boat.

I’m not saying as Christians we should ever strive to be ridiculed, derided, made fun of, mocked, or the topic of adversity. But! Knowing it isn’t easy to be the odd one out, I encourage you to find your voice and stand up for Jesus! It is okay to ‘rock the boat’ for the cause of Christ…in the right heart, and in the right tone. Naturally, we should not put our absolute faith and confidence in man, but rather in God. You understand that you’ll be alone within a crowd sometimes – and it might be a good thing! Don’t look for most crowds to support Christian values. Count the cost – ask God for help – and go for it!

Recently, I found myself in an awkward situation. I was having a business lunch with a small group of ladies. Within short order, the conversation began to pepper itself with lewd comments, and talk of inappropriate sexual nature. (It is mind boggling what some people consider acceptable conversation!) Long story short, after my requests to clean up the conversation were ignored, I just politely ended my meal, and dismissed myself. Enough said – without arrogance, but with confidence, I decided to take a stand. For God. Not myself. It was worth the cost!

I am reminded of Cassie Bernall’s story – now hers is a real story of “rocking the boat and taking a stand for the Lord.” Her legacy rings loudly. It stood out to me for many reasons. The article I read shared that she was a student in 1999 – at Columbine High School. She was shot and killed on April 20, 1999. When Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold attacked the school, killing many, Cassie was one of the victims.  When asked if she believed in God, she said yes, and was killed for it. (Although, one witness disputes this fact).

After she died so brutally, a piece of paper with this Bible verse (from a translation of Philippians 3:10-11) was found in her room: "Now I have given up on everything else--I found it to be the only way to know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought Him to life again, and to find out what it really means to suffer and to die with Him. So, whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead."

Whether she actually said yes or not, she truly was someone who loved God.

I know this was an extreme example of “standing alone” or rocking the boat. I hope nobody else is in that situation again. However, let it serve as a reminder that life is precious. Life is short.

Metaphorically, wear a swim suit.  Because we are all going in!  If the boat is a rockin', then Jesus will be in it too.  And that's where I want to be...Where He is.

 

Look UP my friends!