Wowsers!

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" Psalm 8:3-4

This past August 21st was a day like none other to stand in awe of the absolute glory of God our creator. The total eclipse of the sun and some call it The American Eclipse. I was blessed to view it from the Totality zone and indeed words can't describe this two minute spectacle.

Take some time to just read the Psalms and praise God for all His mighty works. To think of His creation and how the planets just hang in the sky and the stars twinkle. The big ball of fire called the Sun that keeps us warm and gives us light. On this Eclipse day temperatures in the totality zone dropped by ten degrees. My son said he even heard crickets chirping. God is so good.

Take time to be in awe of creation. Don't worship creation and creatures, even the Bible says not to, but worship the creator, God Almighty, who spoke it all into being.

PRAYER:Oh Lord I am in awe of all you have done and made for us to enjoy. Thank you for the Eclipse show for it was a site like none other. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Love Demands Action

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I know of a few people right now enduring dicey family and extended family situations and my heart aches when they share things with me. Obviously to protect them I can not go into details but sometimes when stuff happens you wonder "why me God" or "why is this happening"? Honestly I don't know and am puzzled on what is the right solution. How do you counsel or respond to someone with a deep ache or hurt in their heart?

In reading the verses for today whatever you may be going through stop and read this verse out loud and think what it means. Then ask yourself if you emulate what the verses are talking about. Sometimes it hurts to keep loving unconditionally but for healing it is necessary.

Keep praying, keep trusting, keep believing. There is a hope and a future for all those who love the Lord. Ask Him to show you what to do in whatever you are going through. Cry out to Him. He cares.

PRAYER: Life is tough at times and interaction with many people can be tricky. You have placed me here Lord to show love, not hate. Be kind, not rude. Give me supernatural ability and strength to know how to endure. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In Your Heart

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,  but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Depending upon what is happening in your life right now you may or may not feel joyful. Did you know being joyful is actually a choice? Have you ever tried laughing just for the fun of it? I have heard it is supposed to be good for you. I recommend doing it in private and not a public place. 

You can indeed have joy unspeakable. You can be filled to overflowing. Don't be whining and complaining about all the horrible stuff in your life but instead write down all the ways you are blessed and what you have to give thanks for. Sure life throws curve balls occasionally but many home runs as well. 

Just like the children's song I used for my title, you can choose a childlike frame of mind and put on a happy face. Grey skies indeed are going to clear up. You just wait and see. 

PRAYER: The Lord is the 'lifter' of our heads. When I feel down I know I can cry out to you for restoration of my joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of blessing:

https://youtu.be/3x2wfZwTitg

A.R.K.

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.' Jeremiah 7:23 

I absolutely loved the movie 'Evan Almighty' starring Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, and Lauren Graham released back in 2007. It was a modern day fantasy take of Noah's Ark where Carell's character, Evan, was tasked by God to build an ark. Not going to spoil it but try to rent it on Netflix if you can. 

The ark referred to in this movie was not just a literal ark, which he did build, but also an acronym for 'Acts of Random kindness'. Interesting isn't it? These 'acts' could be ways to show love to those you encounter daily. Be on the lookout for hurting people.

Does God speak to and through people still today? Does He have people build arks? Not necessarily but He is still in the business of doing His work through people. Perhaps you are one He wants to work through. 

PRAYER: Thank you for the ways you work through people today to get your work on Earth done. Help me look for ways myself to show love beyond the call of duty. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Tarnished Relationships

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Do you know what silver or silver plate look like when they get tarnished?  In order to keep them shiny you have to polish them and give them the proper care and handling. Sort of like a relationship. 

Whether a friendship, marriage, dating, or relatives such as siblings, in laws, parents, you have to do your part to keep it 'shining'. I know of people who have had tarnish on their relationship with various family members for quite some time. But as the saying goes, "it takes two to tango" so don't think that it is the other person who is all bad. Are you doing your part to help, forget, forgive, let go,and move on?  Maybe things aren't fair. That hurts. Try your best to not speak poorly no matter how bad the other person is.  Maybe Christian counseling is deemed necessary in extreme cases. 

The verse today speaks of the enemy coming to kill, steal, and destroy. We could add distort the truth as well. The enemy of course is Satan and he gets his jollies destroying families, friendships, and marriages and loves it even more when those hurt can't sincerely forgive.  Some may be exceptionally hard to love and pray for but please try to do it. Perhaps it is even a one sided attempt but still do your best. Just keep praying and polishing with those prayers.

PRAYER: Mean people are ever present in the world Lord and many of them need a good dose of love and prayer to turn them around. Help me to show love to those I may not necessarily agree with or humanly love. Give me the ability to love with your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Overgrown

But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19

As I look out at what is the near end of our seasonal garden it is becoming overgrown with weeds. Earlier in the season I maintained it and it was not so bad. Now it looks out of control.

A life that gets cluttered and too busy can start to resemble my overgrown 'weed patch' with thorns and thistles. If you don't get your life in control by prioritizing certain things and putting God first you can easily choke out the work and word of God and allow Satan to enter your peaceful 'garden plot'.

Does your 'garden' need to be tended to? Are you allowing weeds to choke God out of your life? What do you need to do today to start 'blooming' for Him again?

PRAYER: Lord help me to seek you daily. Give me the ability to say no to too many things that would squeeze you out of my life. Help me to look around for those who need help in their 'gardens' and spread your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

But Wait!! That's Not All!!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

You have all probably seen the those TV infomercials trying to sell something like cutlery, mops, vacuums, facial cream and the list goes on and the announcer in a cheery voice will say towards the end of the commercial "But wait!That's not all!" In advertising this a tactic to reel you in and maybe get you to buy something you don't need just because you get one more for free. 

For Christians do you realize we too have a Heavenly Father who is saying in effect "Wait child! That's not all!" meaning there is way more to being a believer than just a 'taste' of Him on Sunday or a nibble here or there. God wants you to live a victorious fulfilled life here on Earth and not just attend a church. There is so very much more.

Dive into the Bible. Find a good Christian radio station. Attend a dynamic growing church where you can't wait for Sunday to roll around. Bloom where you are 'planted' and shine the love of Jesus wherever you go. Don't allow the enemy to have you stuck in a denominational pit just because your family was there. Go where you feel the Spirit of God moving and the truth indeed will set you free. Now that is the best 'free' thing ever!

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for your wonderful gift of eternal life. I know my time is so temporary here on Earth and you have a wonderful place prepared for those who give their heart to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.