Three Legged Race

Recently was I reading an analogy very applicable to daily life and me, in particular. Simple messages provide great truths in how we are to live our lives in the way God desires us to live.

"It'll get better if you get closer."

John's mom laughs as she untangles five-year-old John and Malakai, two
boys practicing for a three-legged-race at a community gathering.

But our Malakai is close to tears as I unknot him from a snarl of arms
and legs and feet. "Really, if you'll get closer, put your arms around
each other, you'll find it gets easier."

John's mom takes an arm and wraps it around a shoulder and I find one
too and direct it around a neck, and the boys shyly giggle and step out
again. "One-two! One-two! One-two!"

John's mom chants, and I cheer, and the boys stride off in rhythm, arms
flung over shoulders. And the boys turn faces to each other, happy eyes
shining, and belly-laugh. Us mamas can't help but laugh too. They're
maneuvering life's tangle!

For isn't family life a bit of a three-legged race? Days tie us
together, and schedules trip us up, and everything snarls. We stumble
and fall and it hurts. "It'll get better if we get closer." Because
relationship -- love -- is the most transformative force in the
universe. It's what God wants with us: intimate relationship. Get
closer. And it will get better.

Too often, I buy the lie, the one the serpent hisses.

* Speak harsher and it will get better. (More tasks will get
accomplished.)

* Push harder and it will get better. (More places can get crammed
into the hours.)

* Bluster longer and it will get better. (More life squeezed into
life.)

But don't I know it? "A brother offended is harder to be won than a
strong city ..." (Proverbs 18:19). The harshness, the blustering, the
pushing, offends and we trip. Knees and elbows smash and we bruise. It
gets harder to get up.

A flurry of accomplishments will not get us happily across life's
finish line. Tasks aren't the purpose or the priority. If to-do lists
are what compel us, inevitably, we'll stumble. Because that's not the
essence of family life. The essence of family life is the care of
souls.

When we tenderly draw near, collect hearts, wrap each other in arms and
love, we hit our stride. The three-legged race (or five legged or seven
legged or ten legged race) becomes a happy delight. We get closer. And
it gets better.

What I'm learning as we step (sometimes fumble) through the
three-legged race of family life, these ways of getting closer
genuinely make it better:

* Reach out and gently touch when you talk; make it a practice to
always connect before your direct.

* Fully listen to conversations with your ears, eyes, whole body
language. Smile into eyes.

Relationship is ... all there is.

* Make time for walks, a mug of hot chocolate, a chapter of a book
read aloud together. There's no better way to spend time than
making time.

* Fill your words with the affection you feel. Children don't assume
they're loved when our words aren't loving.

* Tuck in with long talks in the dark, a foot rub, prayers. It's the
happiest way to finish a day.

* Slow down: the priority is hearts not household tasks. Take a deep
breath and preach to yourself often: "I want to be, more than I
want to do."

Relationship is not just the priority. It's all there is. Our family
relationships are hallowed. Aren't they forever? (And, yes, true, clean
floors and schedules aren't.)

The three-legged boys practice intently and when the race begins, I'm
at the other end, arms wide open, ready for Malakai and John as they
step, tumble, laugh across the finish line.

And when they fall into me and I wrap them up, this happiness feels
good. We're closer and it couldn't be better.

Lord, cause me to draw near today -- to You, to others. Relationship is
all there is.

BE WISE

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right
path.

Proverbs 23:19, New International Version

There are so many paths I can take during the course of the day. Most are heading in the wrong direction. Without God's guidance and wisdom, most likely I will be on the wrong path. Lord guide me and hold me has I continue on the wild ride of life. Keep me on your path. The path of righteousness and mercy that can only be found in you.

HOPE

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him

Psalm 62:5

I have always thought I placed my hope in God but God is teaching me that his spirit must live in me , ALIVE, every day or my hope will wander to the human pursuits surrounding my environment. I need to daily go before the Lord and and seek his presence so I may be immersed in his spirit. I need to have daily conversations with God as I seek his will. His peace will grip me as I quietly wait for him.

For my Hope is in Him!

Joy of Your Presence ( Revisited )

Psalm 16

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

10 because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

11 You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Knowing that God has me at his right hand and that he will not abandon me is reassuring and provides great comfort. He also leads me down the right path so I may be filled with his presence.

It is simple but true, God is my guide and our comforter and will NEVER leave me or abandon me.

HE loves us FOREVER.

Lord, help me use this words as my comfort and encouragement as you lead me through today and in the future. Thank you for calling me into your presence!

Permanent Record Card

We always used to fool with my friends in high school who went to Catholic school telling them they better not screw up or it would go on their permanent record card. I am glad we have another view from scripture.


Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins. (Psalm 130:1-8 NIV).

Here's a thought  to ponder as you go through your day: What if
the Lord kept a record of our sins?

The Psalmist says if the Lord did keep a record of sins, no one can
stand (vs. 2). "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my
voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy" (Vs. 1-2).

How would you respond? "Oh my! I'm in trouble!" "Tell me it's not
true!" "I knew all that talk about grace and mercy was too good to be
true." "I am ruined. I am a man of unclean lips among a people of
unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).

It is a horrible thought, isn't it? Every sin you've ever committed
would be kept on file. All kinds of questions race through your mind.
Is the file locked? Who has the key? Would it be possible to have the
key? There is no hope. I am doomed!

Then, in verse 4 our fears are relieved when he says, "But with you
there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared" (NIV). "As it turns
out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped" (The
Message). "But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you"
(The New Living Version).

From fear to RESPECT.

From dread to HOPE.

From anxiety to RELIEF.

From sorrow to JOY.

From the worst news possible to the best news possible.

"With you there is forgiveness."

Thank You, Lord, for being a God who offers forgiveness.

FREEDOM?

"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial.
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
-- 1 Corinthians 10:23-24



Freedom is a wonderful gift! Freedom in Christ is greater than any other kind of freedom. God entrusts it to me as an individual. But, I don't want to use my freedom to impinge on someone else's freedom.I don't want my liberty to cause others to sin or to lose sight of Christ. So I need to use my freedom wisely and have my freedom in Christ be an example to all those who are around me. I want to make sure in the days ahead that I do not seek my own good but seek the good of others so I can really experience the freedom in Christ because of what he did for me on the cross. That is a freedom that will last an eternity.

What Can we Learn From Trees?

As fall turns to winter and the trees lose their leaves, God reminds us of his faithfulness

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the
scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law
he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose
leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper (Psalm
1:1-3 NKJV).

The Psalmist says that a godly person is like a tree in three very important ways.

First, he is planted -- he's got his roots put down deep, he's
fortified, stable.

Second, he bears fruit -- he develops godlike qualities in his
character and life.

Third, he doesn't wither -- he is able to survive under all
circumstances, even days of difficulty.

May my spiritual life take on the qualities of a tree planted by the rivers of water and watched over by the Spirit of God as Christ dwells in me and makes me to who he want me to be.

Showers Likely

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing
love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the
LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
  -- Hosea 10:12
   

 What a great challenge! Even more great is the promise
that God will help me break up the unplowed ground in my heart as
I seek him. He will pour out his blessings and his righteousness
on me as I pursue his righteousness.


 O LORD Most High, use your Holy Spirit to purify and cultivate
my heart so that it is soft and receptive to your will and
compassionate to those in need. Make it a holy place for your
Spirit to live.

Life Sentence

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life
worthy of the calling you have received.

Ephesians 4:1, New International Version


These two items do not usually go together for a recipe of joy.

Being a prisoner and living a worthy life. But as I think  of the ramifications of being a prisoner;


The prison controls you
The prison provides your food
The prison  provides your housing
The prison provides your protection


The Lord as my "prison" is a great thing and a privilege.

God protects me

God Provides for me

God LOVES me, FOREVER

That is a life sentence, worth living for!

Lord, protect me, love me, provide for me as you mold  me in to who you want me to be.

STAND UP

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
-- 1 Corinthians 10:13

In the face of temptation, God has promised me two things:

(1) a way out, and

(2) the power to stand up under trial. Can I truly believe this? Yes, of course, because Jesus demonstrated this power, God promised us this power, and I can look at brothers and sisters in Christ who have triumphed by this power! However, I must not think that the way out means that I am  not going to face challenges, hardships, or difficulties. Character is produced by both refusing to give into the temptation and also refusing to give up during the challenges I face for remaining faithful. God will provide me a way out, but he is also interested in developing my  character as molded by Jesus Christ. Where the balance is between the two is God's work.


Whether we choose to remain faithful is our work. (Romans 5:1-5; 1
Peter 1:7)

Thank you,  Father, for supplying me the way out of temptation and the power to face it victoriously. Please forgive me for the times that I have succumbed to temptation and sinned.
Forgive me the times I have not wanted to find that open door of escape. Renew and restore me to faithful and useful service to you and your Kingdom.

Hold On!

Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him...

-- Deuteronomy 10:20


What do I find myself holding onto most often? What is my source of security, reassurance, hope, and stability in times of trouble? What do I encourage folks to do and who do I encourage
them to hold onto during times of trouble?

Dear God and Father, please be with a number of people I now that are undergoing great trials and temptations. Use me to bless them and encourage them. Please uphold them by your powerful hand. Finally, dear Father, strengthen and empower them to hold on to you.

Being Wise

  When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his
tongue is wise.
   -- Proverbs 10:19
     

I am constantly filling my world with noise. If it is not the sound of my own voice, then  I turned up some other noise to fill the silence.  Recently I decided to cut back expenses and I cut my cable service down to the  minimum. I also was looking at a time of quiet before God that he will fill the void with his wisdom and pour out his Spirit in a way I have never experienced. Lots of junk fills the air like radio talk shows, endless sports, and products we didn't even know we needed. We are even given the opportunity to sound off to that noise will endless call in shows to "express our opinion". God's wisdom reminds us to learn to hold our tongue and let silence rule over more of our time rather than the noisy words that so
often clutter my world.


Holy God, please give me more wisdom so that I can keep my mouth shut more often and my ears more attentive to the needs of others.Purify my heart and cleanse my speech so that it will be helpful to others and bring glory to you.

Fill the void with  "YOUR NOISE"

Choices

VERSE:
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
-- Proverbs 10:17



God has given me a circle of influence, a place where my life impacts others for either good or bad. In the same way, I am  also influenced by others, some of whom can help me see and overcome MY problems and shortcomings. If I reject or snub discipline and correction, I not only harm myself, but could lead others astray. The choices I make don't determine just my destination; they also greatly impact others! As a leader in my family , my church and my community, I need to come before God every day and ask to be lead by the Spirit who will guide and give wisdom in a Godly  direction.


Dear God, please forgive my foolish arrogance and my lazy indifference to your truth and wisdom. I am humbled by the knowledge that you have made my life significant to others. Please empower me to use that influence to gently and humbly lead them in the way of your truth. Use me as you mold me in to who you want me to be in your kingdom.

Use me for the great and the little things in this life that make a difference in people and your kingdom.

In Memory

It was 30 years ago about this time that a son was born. A son whose parents had great hopes and dreams. A son whose potential was limitless.

Richard was a great kid who lived his life on the edge from the very minute he could.

Richard was a kind and gentle person. He had struggles and demons that he could not beat.

In the end, God was victorious .

The demons and struggles are gone and victory is won.

The pain and sorrow are now joy.

He is with his heavenly father.

Thank you for the opportunity to be your dad.

I know where you are!

Lord, Give me peace in knowing Richard is with you and all is well and I don't worry any more.

He is safe in your arms watching over us.

I love you

DAD

A Good Source of Help!

I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from?

  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

  He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will
  not slumber;

  indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor
  sleep.

  The LORD watches over you -- the LORD is your shade at your
  right hand;

  the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

  The LORD will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your
  life;

  the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and
  forevermore.
  (Psalm 121:1-8 NIV)

If I really believe those words ...

Admit it.

I am not afraid to acknowledge that I know where my help, my
strength for the day, and my energy comes from. It comes from the
Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

I need to talk about it in a loving and gentle, yet confident way, tell others that I know that He is watching over them, that He will not let their foot slip, and that He is not sleeping through their life.

Remember it.

I need to remember that the Lord is watching over me in the morning when the sun is rising, in the evening when the moon is shining, and at all times in between. Remember it when I am refreshed and protected by the shade
of refreshment that the Lord provides.

Live it.

I need to  live like the Lord is keeping me from harm. I need to live with confidence and hope. I need to live it as I come and go to work, walk into your home, fellowship with my church friends, as I relax, and as I encounter
stressful times.

Live with confidence and hope.

Admit it

The Lord is watching over me. Talk about it. Remind others that He is also watching over them. Remember it. In good days and difficult days take comfort that He is not only conscious of my life, but is going with me as I experience it. Live it.  I need to demonstrate the hope I have in Him and His care for me.

My days will be filled with peace and comfort and hope and confidence. I desire to inspire others to live with peace and comfort and hope and confidence as well.


Forever more... Timing I like!

All Things Work Together

When things are beyond my control;
To You, Lord I lift up my soul;
And when things are hard to understand,
Lord, I trust your perfect plan.

Some things hazy will someday be clear;
Some things hidden will one day appear;
And some things so wrong will be made right,
As I walk in your perfect light.

This is a song we sing in church and rings so true that you have a perfect plan, while I wait on you I must walk in your perfect light.

Lord, teach me, mold me, make me, as I live my life in your perfect light.

I can only do this with you as my guide and with your wisdom and strength.

The Never Ending Story

Hebrews 12:1-2 (The Message)

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Jesus was there for me yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Lord help me continue to be a part of the never ending story.

Fear Not

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy

I have fears in my life, but the fears can best be summed up to a lack of totally relying on God.

He goes before me and will protect me and love me.

I will not be dismayed!

Lord, turn my fears in to victory.

Not a victory of my own but one that is with you!

The JOY of your Presence

Psalm 16

1 Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.

2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."

3 As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.

5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

10 because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

11 You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Lord, keep me on a firm foundation

Don't be DUMMY!

 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
  -- Proverbs 10:8

The Bible has a great deal of information but it is more than information, it is guidance and wisdom to guide my life and direct my path in a Godly way so I am more like Christ every day.

BUT...

I have to be willing to accept his commands and do something with them not just hear them  and do nothing.

Lord,

Guide me in my walk to  have greater wisdom in you as I labor every day to accept your commands.

PEACE

John 14:27 (New International Version)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid...

The world gives us disorder,

God gives us order and peace that is

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Don't lose Focus

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne
of God.

Hebrews 12:2

If  I am to follow who is  the author and perfecter of what is good for our faith, Lord keep me focused on Jesus as the way  to Joy.

Stake Your Claim

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

The Bible is usually clear...


Walk as Jesus did. As I look at scripture and follow the footsteps of Jesus in his ministry, it is an awesome responsibility to be a follower of Jesus. If I follow him, I also see that grace walks ahead of Jesus.

Lord, give me a spirit more like that of Jesus and thank you for the grace he shows me every day.

Captive

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ.
   -- 2 Corinthians 10:5

This is a powerful verse that is an awesome responsibility.

Sounds so easy...

The verse tells us to Demolish EVERY THING that is against God.

And take captive EVERY thought


Demolish = Destroy
Take Captive = Build up

As I take captive every thought I become more obedient to him since I am in sync with what he has planned to me.

Lord, help me to take captive every thought and help me to be more obedient to you.

FOREVER

Psalm 73

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
With Your counsel You will guide me...

This is a great picture of God being with me during times of good and times of struggle

He takes by the hand and continually guides me.

Continually means FOREVER.

Thank you God for being my guide and my constant companion.

Joyful in Hope

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13


God is great!

Lord, keep my spiritual fervor alive!

Sufficient

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"

(2 Corinthians 12:9).

I become anxious when I am challenged to my limits and beyond.I have  even experience anxiety attacks at various times in my life that were very painful and times of complete uncertainty. 

Yet the Bible tells me not to be anxious. 

Where do I find the antidote for anxiousness?

"Do not be anxious about anything ..." (Philippians 4:6 ).

I figure I  must be too weak to be a good Christian because I get scared and I do get frustrated and make myself anxious about not being anxious.

How come I don't have the same absolute certainty about  every issue or  every aspect of obedience that some claim to have? I  must not be good enough, which leads me to be more anxious.

The answer is always simple...

Jesus took on our greatest dilemmas, solved the unsolvable, and brought me God's grace.

Lord, my trust is in you as your grace and love surrounds me.

Draw me Close, Lord

God brought me back to him but he never left

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend

Help me find a way to bring me back to you

[Chorus:]
You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want,
Help me know you are near

You are my desire
No one else will do
Cause no one else
Can take you place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace

Help me find a way to bring me back to you

[Chorus:]
You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want,
Help me know you are near


I pray you would keep me near and wrap your arms around me with your love.

Rest For Your Soul

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.

Times are tough

Learn from me and you will find rest for your soul

Let me get my rest from you.