Top to bottom…….what’s within me?

There is a song from one of my many favorite ‘older’ groups-Toto.  It's called ‘Bottom of your soul’.  The last part of the chorus says, “Always remember the voice in your head,  Speaks to you when you're alone,   And it comforts you,  From the top of your heart to the bottom of your soul."  When I listen to this I usually pause and reflect on what is presently flowing within me-from the top of my heart to the bottom(deep within) my soul. What influences(worldly/Satan or heavenly/God) am I tailoring to.  Am I filled with self motives or compassion/ love towards others-filled with Jesus?   Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  Also, 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.   As I have aged,  I listen more intimately to terminology in songs, wondering what inspired the artist –what this meant to them.  Thus, not only am I somewhat more selective in what I listen to, I find it uplifting when a song or a part of one causes me to challenge my spiritual walk.  This song has me asking myself, ‘is worldliness or the comfort of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit resonating from my heart to deep inside my soul’? Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

'Den of Thieves'

Have you ever attempted to hide something from someone?  I’m certain we all have and perhaps been successful.  One that cannot be fooled is our Almighty God.  Oh, we try to hide our sin or mask over them, even misleading those around us…..but not God.    It is there-what I will refer to as our ‘den of thieves’, that an attempt to disguise our hearts/lives will result in failure and disappointment from God.  Jeremiah 7:9-11 reminds us of this clearly and verse 11 hits at the heart-“Has this house which bears my Name,  become a den of thieves to you?  But I have been watching!” declares the Lord.  As thieves will hide from their actions to try to avoid authorities/to ‘feel safe’, if we are not careful, we too can try the same with our sin just as the people of Judah falsely trusted that the Temple could protect them in spite of their sin.  God knows our every move/thought-He is watching! We cannot hide sin from God.  There is no shelter or refuge except through the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

CHRISTmas

My family has always enjoyed the Christmas season, baking goodies, family time, presents, etc. My father would, as we became older, had us read scripture and pray before diving into the presents. Having a daughter has allowed me the opportunity to continue with the heart of a child at Christmas. While I have played up the "fun" of what can be had at this time of year, I've tried to instill within my daughter the heart of Jesus Christ. Not just during this time of year should she only see or hear about our Blessed Redeemer and Savior. Yes, we have all heard it and probably said it,'Jesus Christ is the reason for the season'. While this is very true, my paradigm has changed to Jesus Christ is the reason period! For all occasions/life, this should be my thought process. It is a lifestyle we should aspire to live daily-the example of Jesus Christ. Our lives really should not change during a particular day, week or month-ever how one would define the Christmas Season. I believe Christians can enjoy Christmas and should celebrate our Lord's birth, life, death and resurrection. The challenge, at least for me, is to keep the commercialization into perspective and live obediently and enjoy the reason daily.
C-Christ, the reason, period!
H-Holy
R-Risen Lord
I-Immanuel, God with us
S-Savior
T-The King of Kings
M-Messiah
A-Almighty God
S-Sacrificial Lamb.....................Merry Christmas, Blessings in your pursuit.......TO   

The Guest List

When having a party or special event, whom does one typically invite?  The guest list probably includes folks such as family, friends, co-workers, etc.  I’m not indicating this is wrong, however, if this is all we ever do in our outreach attempts and social gatherings, is there something missing? Confession time- I am guilty of this!  As I read the parable of the wedding feast in Luke 14:8-14.   Verse 13-14 really gets to the heart of living a serving life, reaching out to those in need-physically/physiologically and/or spiritually.  Jesus says, “but when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed-this should not be our motivation, but love for others should convict us.   Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  So, I challenge the collective body of Christ-all Christians, to re-evaluate our future fellowship activities and also include some of the following as invitees:  those we may not know very well, perhaps do not have much common interests, those that are hurting, lonely, poor, one’s the world considers  as social misfits. Christmas time is here, not that we should only express a giving/serving heart at this time of year, but 365/24/7.  Now is a great time to change our paradigm of our future guest lists for our social gatherings and daily walk. I recommend reading a book called 'The Hole in our Gospel', by Richard Stearns-  an awakening/compelling read on our true purpose in this blessed life provided by an Awesome God. Blessings in you future 'guest lists' and Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Changing Parking Spots

All the trials we will or have endured…..what is our attitude? Where is our mind parked?  It’s natural and not necessarily sinful to ask ‘why’ to God.  It can be a sin if these questions cause us to lose sight of God, to decide it’s not worth it and flee God.  Conversely, after we ask ‘why’, we perhaps will not receive the response we would like.  The trials will not vanish.  We must change where we park our minds……from the ‘why’ to ‘what’.  What will I do now that this trial has happened and is a reality in my life?  Not the easiest or most natural response, but a godly one.  This mind set will allow us to draw closer to God, to stop trying to figure it all out, to believe that God is in control, and to trust Him.  Philippians 4:8 tells us where we should park our minds/thoughts…things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.  Only then can we learn to better seek our God for what opportunities He has planned for us now.  I read a powerful analysis of what our attitude should be...... that we might process our trials through the filter of God’s love.  Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

We are all indivdually special to God

Why do we spend so much time comparing ourselves with others-family members, friends, co-workers/bosses, church members, entertainers, etc?  We allow our own expectations and those from others to confine and often define us.  We need to trust God and accept that He created us purposely for a reason.  Our unique personality and talents are all tools to accomplish God's plan for us. What we see as flaws, He designed as potential.  God's design of you/me is intentional-we are specially made with purpose.  There is a song by Howard Jones I like, “Specialty”-part of the chorus says this: ‘spend your time worrying about what you could have been, can’t you like being who you are.’  Wow! I think we all have fallen prey to that thinking. Do we trust enough to simply be who we are(that specialty God made us) and embrace what we can offer through God.  The challenge today is to release the expectations we ,or others ,have placed on ourselves and explore God's amazing plan. Hopefully to discover that everyone has many great life contributions to offer.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Available and Obedient

I loathe the thought of this, but if I’m honest, I must confess that I probably have practiced ‘Convenience Christianity’ too often.  Is God really first or do I schedule Him around life/things?  We live in a demanding ‘me’ society, taking care of numero uno, do what feels right and when!  May God grant me mercy as I have confessed/repented of not taking a firm stand for God and conforming to the world with a tolerant attitude.  1 Corinthians 16:13 says, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Also, we see in Isaiah 7:9, If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.  Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the world-my translation-Don’t be tolerant, but bold and courageous for Christ.  God demands a life of total surrender, we cannot straddle the fence(Matt 6:24) and be obedient when we choose-when it’s convenient.  Christians must be available, willing to serve 24/7, that is why we are here, the reason God created us.  I am part of His body in the 21^st century to share the good news of Christ-obediently/faithfully.   I must ask myself, ‘Am I willing and open to God’s will/purpose for my life?’  Thus, being available and obedient!  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO