For Goodness Sake

I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.I hate what faithless people do;I will have no part in it.The perverse of heart shall be far from me;I will have nothing to do with what is evil.Psalm 101:3-4

You have heard the saying what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular? In a culture that is becoming extremely more desensitized and sexualized, even Christians are at times getting numb to what is good and wholesome. 

Popular movies sometimes should be left unseen especially if you are trying to keep your heart and mind pure. Don't purposely go to something you know ahead of time is wrong and an R rating should be a heads up to see what is wrong with it and at times PG 13. Parents be parents and have the guts to draw the line on bad entertainment choices. Now I am not a fan of a teen having his or her own TV in their room but don't intend to step on toes of some I know who have them. It is just allot easier to monitor entertainment choices on the family room TV. 

Ask yourself a question or two before you make entertainment choices. First is this good for me? Secondly, would I invite Jesus to go along? Now go make good choices. 

PRAYER: Temptations are all around us and the enemy tries to lure us into his trap throwing things at us I may feel are innocent when I know better. Give me the courage to recognize and walk away from evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a review of the recently released R rated Baywatch which many teens may want to see. Be warned. 

http://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/baywatch-2017

Iron Bars

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and theircontentions are like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19

For any of you reading who have not been hurt or betrayed by a close friend it feels like jabbing a knife in your heart. One moment you are like a sister or brother sharing deep confidences and the next you are shut out, unfriended, blocked, ignored. It is very painful. It can happen to women or men. Women probably process the pain differently but never the less it is heart breaking.

Does this mean you should never get close to anyone for fear they will turn on you some day? Absolutely not. Relationships are what life is all about. It is difficult if not impossible to know the heart of man. And you certainly can't force someone to like or love you. You simply try to let it go and pray.

If you have a friend who has been hurt by betrayal and rejection at the hands of a friend or family member pray for them as it does take time and is hard to understand. If it happened to you, forgive. Maybe you are the one angry and blocking someone from your life who used to be close. Ask yourself why and try to mend the relationship. Anger and bitterness are not fruits of the spirit so try to root them out now before they grow deeper.

PRAYER: Thank you Father for the times people have hurt me cause it has forced me to learn forgiveness and love in a deeper way. Help me pray for those who oppose me, hate me, ridicule me, or shun me. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Be Yourself...Got That?

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

I had an author event and totally forgot to get my traditional manicure which I do when people will see my hands allot. Nail polish is not 'me' but I want to look nice for certain special occasions. But with one hour before event just said "Oh well". Alas, the trusty nail polish bottles beckoned me from my bathroom shelf. I did it myself. 

Do you get concerned about image? Teen girls are really susceptible to this but even adults can worry. Sure there are places you need to look good such as a job interview or going to work, but to obsess over a dress code of sorts otherwise even going into church is not necessary. 

A close friend who lives in Arizona got me the best sign which I hang where it is seen daily and it simply says "Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken" and how true is that. This is not a license to be a slob and not take care of God's Holy temple, your body, but it does mean the world's idea of beauty and fitting in is wrong. Relax, enjoy your life.

PRAYER: Help me Lord as I seek to be a representative of the kingdom of God and not be so caught up in things of this world just to be cool. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Entangled?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Are you trapped or entangled in something you know is not pleasing to God and is not only hurting you but may be also hurting others as well? Drug addiction, pornography, alcoholism, lying, cheating, stealing, abortion, adulterous relations, alternate lifestyles, premarital sex?

No one is perfect and Satan is roaming around like a lion, a vicious conniving predator,  trying purposely to devour you and destroy your life. Particularly if you love Jesus he often throws curve balls and temptations your way to try to destroy your life as well as your witness.

Maybe you are not involved with something in the list above but stuff from your past haunts you. Satan is a master of guilt and condemnation too. God can forgive, heal, and restore so let Him into your heart today.

PRAYER: Oh Lord you are so awesome. You loved me when I have been at my worst. You are waiting with open arms and always forgive. Restore and renew me. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Struggling?

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18

What is going on on your life? Do you feel trapped? Are you the victim of poor choices in life? Often times when people mess up, and all of us have at one time or another, they want to just escape and Satan puts ideas of worthlessness in their minds and thoughts.

If that is where you are my friend, stop what you are doing now and cry out to God. You are a special creation of God and He loves you very much.

Don't dwell or camp out on negative thoughts. Get your mind and heart renewed by reading the book of  John for starters. Don't sit around worrying and in self pity. Start now and get on the road to freedom in Christ.

PRAYER:Lord many people in the world hurt emotionally. Use me to comfort someone in my life who needs a dose of love. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Flip Phone, Big Phone, Tiny Phone, No Phone...Does It Matter?

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."1 Samuel 16:7

Keeping appearances is important to many people. What purse they carry, what shoes they wear, what kind of makeup or toiletries they use, what vehicle they drive.  Why does this matter? We are simple man here by the grace of God to be used by Him yet too many, even in Christian circles, are caught up in image.

I for one have not been on an overseas mission trip but I can bet that is a sure cure for feeling you have to be somebody or fit an image. Don't try to please people so much.

 Instead of being so concerned about your friends, strangers, co workers, why not concern yourself with how your inner man is. Read your Bible. Pray. Get transformed from the inside out and live a more peaceful life.

PRAYER: Help me not let others try to mold me into an image that does nothing to bring glory to you Lord. I pray for teens especially who feel led by peer pressure. Give them the ability to be their own person. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Off The Grid..Try It, You Might Like It

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Who is it that made up the rule we have to be constantly plugged in? I reached a saturation point one day and regressed to the day before 24/7 connection. It was so refreshing. I feel our minds after a while need a rest from bings, tiny screens, phones ringing, texting, and status updates. It wore me down after a while and I felt like I wanted to be in Alaska totally off the grid or paddling a boat down a stream.

Our brains need time to rest and recuperate and a steady tech diet I feel can be unhealthy. That is why I always hate seeing small children already with their own devices. God help us.

Take a few days and turn off stuff if you can. Excuses are what if there is an emergency. I may miss something. Do yourself a favor and rest and gain peace and stillness in your life. This means that dreaded TV too. Grab those kids and grandkids and go do some fun creative non electrical things. Go to a park and just watch birds. Listen to a brook. Take a walk. Be still. God is in your midst and he loves it when you calm down enough to give him time and reflect.

PRAYER: Oh Lord you're beautiful. Your face is all I see. I am in awe of the wonder of your creation. From the tiny baby to the most impressive mountains. Thank you for all you give us. Help us sit still enough to appreciate it. In Jesus' name. Amen.