One day you're up: every single thing seems to be going your way. You're happy, joyful, full of energy and ready to take on the world, single-handedly. The next you are so low you can't even see the mid-way point toward the mountain top. You feel utterly worthless, useless and there's no hope in sight. Some days you feel somewhere in between, where some things are okay, but nothing's really great. These are the days of our lives. Good, bad and indifferent. No one gets to coast along the mountain top every day, but at the same time, no one has to endure the lowest part of the valley every day, either. What most of us don't realize, though, is we do get a choice for most of our days.
It doesn't matter what your circumstances look like, you make a choice each and every morning whether you are going to be happy or sad, good mood or bad, depressed or glad. It's all in your attitude and the best way to keep things under the full, bright sun is to count your blessings. Stop looking at what you don't have and start counting all the many things you have that are not the basic needs of life. Yes, even those are blessings, but think about how much above the basics you've been given, or have achieved. God has blessed each and every one of us in some way that we should be grateful for. It may just be that you are still alive and breathing, but that is the greatest gift of all in this life. That we are still here to love and be loved. That we have another chance to make a difference in someone's life. And being able to make a difference is one of the best blessings I can think of.
Stop thinking about all the wrongs that have been done to you and start thinking about all the right you can do for others. When we give, we elevate our mood and our attitude and achieve that sense of calm, peace and joy. It's not in receiving from anyone, not even from God, that we achieve our best peace, joy and love. It's in our giving! Give of your time, your excess, even out of your need, give! It hurts my heart every time I hear an adult say their favorite part of the holidays is receiving gifts. I've never gotten as much joy in my life by receiving as I have from giving. To brighten someone's day by giving them something they've longed for or something they may not have known they wanted, but they find it fun or amusing. Giving opens my heart up and allows the love I feel to flow out. To see someone smile, even just a little, because of some little something I've done for them warms my heart and soul and gives me joy, unspeakable!
Even if all I can give someone is a smile, I want to be the person who does that. I want to be the one that people say, "I see Jesus in that man." And the only way they will ever see Jesus in me is for me to give them what He gave me: love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and blessing.
Monday, November 13, 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Presidential Elections
I don't post about politics on this blog for a reason, but I feel I have no choice at this time. I am so sick of hearing about the 2020 election being rigged, stolen, hijacked, etc. No, the 2020 election was not rigged or stolen. Joe Biden received 7,052,045 more votes in the popular vote than Donald Trump, which also gave Joe Biden 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. There's no other way to say that Biden won the election. It was overwhelmingly in Biden's favor. But, don't forget that even though Trump won the 2016 election over Hilary Clinton with 306 electoral votes to her 232, he claimed there was election fraud in that election because she beat him in the popular vote by 2,793,224 votes! That was the election that seemed to have been rigged!
There is no other office in the United States of America that is not chosen by the popular vote! In fact, of all the presidential elections that I have voted in since turning 18, only 2 have resulted in someone getting more electoral votes while losing the popular vote. One of those was George W. Bush's first election and Donald Trump's election. It's a sad, sad fact that the people of this country voted overwhelmingly in 2016 to not elect Trump as President, yet he was the one who took office. And there has never been a sadder day in the history of this Republic! The 4 years that Donald Trump inhabited the Oval Office were the worst years in the history of this nation. There has never been a more divisive, hateful and more bigoted person in that office.
And to think that there are still people out there who want to re-elect him makes me shudder. He has somehow managed to convince otherwise good people that he is a Christian, when his actions clearly indicate that he is not. During the campaign when he was asked his favorite Bible verse, he couldn't even name one. And his sad, twisted pronunciations of even the most simple Books of the Bible are horrifying! And I have to say that his "photo op" of taking a photo in front of a church with a borrowed Bible in his hand without going inside to the service that was about to start made me cringe!!
Pull your head out of the sand, people! Donald Trump is nothing but a disaster for the United States of America! However, he just may be the one that will cause the USA to fall to it's knees so that Biblical prophecy can be fulfilled. So, if it's God's will that Trump be the one to do that, I cannot stand in the way. I only want God's will to be done and if that includes Donald Trump, so be it. But I can't say I'm happy with that man.
There is no other office in the United States of America that is not chosen by the popular vote! In fact, of all the presidential elections that I have voted in since turning 18, only 2 have resulted in someone getting more electoral votes while losing the popular vote. One of those was George W. Bush's first election and Donald Trump's election. It's a sad, sad fact that the people of this country voted overwhelmingly in 2016 to not elect Trump as President, yet he was the one who took office. And there has never been a sadder day in the history of this Republic! The 4 years that Donald Trump inhabited the Oval Office were the worst years in the history of this nation. There has never been a more divisive, hateful and more bigoted person in that office.
And to think that there are still people out there who want to re-elect him makes me shudder. He has somehow managed to convince otherwise good people that he is a Christian, when his actions clearly indicate that he is not. During the campaign when he was asked his favorite Bible verse, he couldn't even name one. And his sad, twisted pronunciations of even the most simple Books of the Bible are horrifying! And I have to say that his "photo op" of taking a photo in front of a church with a borrowed Bible in his hand without going inside to the service that was about to start made me cringe!!
Pull your head out of the sand, people! Donald Trump is nothing but a disaster for the United States of America! However, he just may be the one that will cause the USA to fall to it's knees so that Biblical prophecy can be fulfilled. So, if it's God's will that Trump be the one to do that, I cannot stand in the way. I only want God's will to be done and if that includes Donald Trump, so be it. But I can't say I'm happy with that man.
Getting Offended By Someone "Preaching at You"
Over the years I've had the experience of talking with people about the Bible and about God where the person I was talking with suddenly became defensive and said something along the lines of, "stop preaching at me. I don't need you to teach me about the Bible." It hasn't happened often, but it has happened. At those times, I didn't have a clue what was going on! I was taken by surprise by their sudden attitude change and their declaration that I was preaching at them. Over the years, I began to understand, however, and it wasn't really me they were upset with. I was just the one giving the information and Holy Spirit is the one who was pricking their soul to listen up.
The person you are talking to, or the preacher who is in the pulpit, doesn't have a clue what's going on inside your heart, soul and mind. They're just speaking what God has given them to speak. If it's speaking to you in such a way that you start feeling defensive or targeted, that's not the speaker's doing, that's God's! If you feel that you are the one who is being spoken to, take that into your soul and start searching why God is giving you that message. Is there something in your life that God has been trying to bring to your attention? Is there something you have felt uneasy about? Well, God is trying to get you to listen up and follow what He's trying to teach you and go where He's trying to lead you. Don't get upset with the messenger! They are only doing what God is telling them to do, the rest is on you.
The person you are talking to, or the preacher who is in the pulpit, doesn't have a clue what's going on inside your heart, soul and mind. They're just speaking what God has given them to speak. If it's speaking to you in such a way that you start feeling defensive or targeted, that's not the speaker's doing, that's God's! If you feel that you are the one who is being spoken to, take that into your soul and start searching why God is giving you that message. Is there something in your life that God has been trying to bring to your attention? Is there something you have felt uneasy about? Well, God is trying to get you to listen up and follow what He's trying to teach you and go where He's trying to lead you. Don't get upset with the messenger! They are only doing what God is telling them to do, the rest is on you.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Walking By Faith
Throughout my journey as a Christian I've heard a lot of people say that they walk by faith, depending on God to meet their needs and provide for them. Most of those people wouldn't have a clue how to actually walk by faith. They say they're depending on God to provide but their five and six figure bank accounts belie the statements they make with their mouths. When you are truly walking by faith, you don't know where your next meal is coming from, but you have faith that God will provide you with something to eat. You don't always know where you're going to lay your head when it comes time to sleep, but you trust that God will lead you to where you need to be.
When I moved from Shreveport, Louisiana for the last time, on 14 April 1991, I didn't know a single person in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn't have any idea about jobs in Nashville, either. Didn't have an apartment lined up, nothing. In fact, I left Shreveport with a little over $200 in my pocket, my clothes and my cat in the back end of a 1980 GMC pickup and a dream. I stepped out in faith to move to Nashville believing that's where God was leading me. When I arrived in Nashville on the 15th, I was completely lost. I didn't know one street from the next and had no clue what parts of town were good, bad or indifferent. Yet, when I saw the sign saying that I had entered into Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County, I felt like I had arrived home. I knew, somehow, deep down inside that I was meant to be in that city! And for the past 32 years 6 months and 22 days, I have remained in the metropolitan area.
It hasn't always been easy. I started out living in the back of my pickup with my cat and there have been times since when I lived in a borrowed car or in a rented room in a not so good part of town. But through it all, no matter what came my way, God provided. When I became disabled in February 1998, I was living in a very nice 3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment. But, being unable to work and having no income, that apartment wasn't home for long. There was another reason for my leaving when I did, but even if that hadn't happened, I would not have been able to stay in the apartment because I didn't have an income to pay the rent. For three months I lived in a borrowed car. But, God opened up doors that I didn't even know existed at the time and I've had a stable home ever since.
Life on this earth isn't always easy. Depending on God for your everything ain't always a walk in the park. But, no matter what comes your way, when you truly depend on God to provide every single thing for you, you will never be hungry and you will never be alone. He will always be right there to give you what you need. And, if you obey Him and walk in His path and will, He will provide most of your wants, as well. No, you may not have a 5 figure bank account, but you won't be in need. I will never have a 5 figure bank account because I don't believe God blesses me so that I can put it in the bank. He blesses me so that I can turn around and bless others. Most of the times I received a blessing from God it was through the hand of another Christian. Yes, there were times and there were miracles that provided for my need, but the vast majority came in the form of another human being. That's why Jesus taught us to not store up treasure on this earth. When God pours His blessings out on us, it's so that we can turn around and help others.
If you are truly going to depend on God to provide your every need, get rid of all your earthly baggage and step out in blind faith and let Him guide and provide. You will be blessed beyond all you could hope or imagine, believe me!
When I moved from Shreveport, Louisiana for the last time, on 14 April 1991, I didn't know a single person in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn't have any idea about jobs in Nashville, either. Didn't have an apartment lined up, nothing. In fact, I left Shreveport with a little over $200 in my pocket, my clothes and my cat in the back end of a 1980 GMC pickup and a dream. I stepped out in faith to move to Nashville believing that's where God was leading me. When I arrived in Nashville on the 15th, I was completely lost. I didn't know one street from the next and had no clue what parts of town were good, bad or indifferent. Yet, when I saw the sign saying that I had entered into Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County, I felt like I had arrived home. I knew, somehow, deep down inside that I was meant to be in that city! And for the past 32 years 6 months and 22 days, I have remained in the metropolitan area.
It hasn't always been easy. I started out living in the back of my pickup with my cat and there have been times since when I lived in a borrowed car or in a rented room in a not so good part of town. But through it all, no matter what came my way, God provided. When I became disabled in February 1998, I was living in a very nice 3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment. But, being unable to work and having no income, that apartment wasn't home for long. There was another reason for my leaving when I did, but even if that hadn't happened, I would not have been able to stay in the apartment because I didn't have an income to pay the rent. For three months I lived in a borrowed car. But, God opened up doors that I didn't even know existed at the time and I've had a stable home ever since.
Life on this earth isn't always easy. Depending on God for your everything ain't always a walk in the park. But, no matter what comes your way, when you truly depend on God to provide every single thing for you, you will never be hungry and you will never be alone. He will always be right there to give you what you need. And, if you obey Him and walk in His path and will, He will provide most of your wants, as well. No, you may not have a 5 figure bank account, but you won't be in need. I will never have a 5 figure bank account because I don't believe God blesses me so that I can put it in the bank. He blesses me so that I can turn around and bless others. Most of the times I received a blessing from God it was through the hand of another Christian. Yes, there were times and there were miracles that provided for my need, but the vast majority came in the form of another human being. That's why Jesus taught us to not store up treasure on this earth. When God pours His blessings out on us, it's so that we can turn around and help others.
If you are truly going to depend on God to provide your every need, get rid of all your earthly baggage and step out in blind faith and let Him guide and provide. You will be blessed beyond all you could hope or imagine, believe me!
Monday, November 6, 2023
This Day The Lord Has Made
As the frosted dew clings to the green blades of grass like tiny diamonds glinting in the sun; the carpet of nature stretches before us into the distance only to meet the turquoise skies of breaking dawn. The sounds of creation begin to stir in the crisp fall daylight creating a symphony of worship before the majestic artistry of the world awakening from slumber. No sight, no sound can measure the glory of the Risen King who is preparing His Father's House to welcome the saints of old and the modern age into the enteral splender that is being in the physical presence of the Living God of Creation.
Friday, November 3, 2023
Talking About Jesus
I have been told, at times, that I talk about Jesus and/or God, too much. Really? I don't think a Christian can speak too much about Jesus and God. And besides, I can't really help myself but to talk about Jesus and God as much as I do. See, Jesus is the most important person in my life! He saved me!! He didn't just save my soul, He saved my life!! Numerous times. How could I not talk about Him and what He has done for me?
I wonder about people who call themselves Christian but they don't talk about Jesus all the time. I seriously wonder about those who then tell me I talk about Him too much! I don't think I talk about Jesus as much as I should be doing. See, every breath I breathe is thanks to Jesus, so I really should use every breath I breathe to speak about Him and what He has done, is doing and will do. And about what He can do for others. God is not some figment of my imagination or some "higher power" out there that I have no real clue about. God is right here, inside me, beside me and all around me! I can't see the sun rise without seeing God. I can't see a bird fly without seeing God! I can't see any part of nature without realizing that God is nature and nature is God. Every aspect of this world that I live in is full of God's presence and I see His hand in everything.
If someone thinks I talk about God and Jesus too much, all I can say to them is that I don't want to offend them, but I'm much more worried about offending God and Jesus than I am about offending them. See, I'm not going to hide the fact that God is more important to me than anything or anyone on this planet. I'm not going to hide the fact that I am so grateful that Jesus sacrificed so much to buy my pardon and give me the chance to experience a relationship with Him and His Father! That I am now a Son of God, not just a creation of God. I can't sit around and be silent. Even if I could, I wouldn't. I will always speak of The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost because without that love and sacrifice I wouldn't be alive much less know life.
So every breath I breathe will be to give praise, worship, adoration and love to God. Every song I sing will be to give praise and worship to Jesus Christ. In Christ I move and have my being so I cannot keep my words from being about Him. He gave me life and He is my life.
Love is God is Love is Good
I wonder about people who call themselves Christian but they don't talk about Jesus all the time. I seriously wonder about those who then tell me I talk about Him too much! I don't think I talk about Jesus as much as I should be doing. See, every breath I breathe is thanks to Jesus, so I really should use every breath I breathe to speak about Him and what He has done, is doing and will do. And about what He can do for others. God is not some figment of my imagination or some "higher power" out there that I have no real clue about. God is right here, inside me, beside me and all around me! I can't see the sun rise without seeing God. I can't see a bird fly without seeing God! I can't see any part of nature without realizing that God is nature and nature is God. Every aspect of this world that I live in is full of God's presence and I see His hand in everything.
If someone thinks I talk about God and Jesus too much, all I can say to them is that I don't want to offend them, but I'm much more worried about offending God and Jesus than I am about offending them. See, I'm not going to hide the fact that God is more important to me than anything or anyone on this planet. I'm not going to hide the fact that I am so grateful that Jesus sacrificed so much to buy my pardon and give me the chance to experience a relationship with Him and His Father! That I am now a Son of God, not just a creation of God. I can't sit around and be silent. Even if I could, I wouldn't. I will always speak of The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost because without that love and sacrifice I wouldn't be alive much less know life.
So every breath I breathe will be to give praise, worship, adoration and love to God. Every song I sing will be to give praise and worship to Jesus Christ. In Christ I move and have my being so I cannot keep my words from being about Him. He gave me life and He is my life.
Love is God is Love is Good
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Living by Faith
Do we, as Christians really believe our prayers will be answered? Truly, one-thousand percent believe? A belief so strong that we know that we know that we know that God will answer our prayers? Most of the time we don't act like it! Not most of the Christians I know, anyway, including myself. We all talk about how we go to God in prayer and we leave our burdens at His feet, but then when we walk away we pull them back with us with a string we've attached. That's because we think we have to still deal with them because we are not putting our full confidence and faith in God.
We pray and ask God to heal our country but we don't leave it to God, we have to go to rallies, and protests, and push through legislation that we think will do the fixing for Him! What is wrong with us? If we truly believe that God will answer our prayers then we need to get out of His way and let Him take care of it! We all know He can, we just don't believe He will do it the way we want Him to. That's where our biggest problem is: we want God to do it our way, not His. People, let me tell you from personal experience, our way is never going to be His way! His ways are so much higher than we can even imagine!!! Let me give you an example from a memoir I recently read.
Two very well known Christian singers who are STRONG in their faith were at the beginnings of their career in music. They each had a different desire for the direction they would be going. One of them wound up falling ill. Seriously, deadly ill. That left the other out there fulfilling concert commitments by themself. It wasn't until God gave them what they wanted that they realized they weren't equipped for what they wanted. And then, and only then, did they submit to God's will and today they are one of the most amazing ministers of God in music that I've ever heard of. But they had to learn to do it in God's will, not by pushing their own onto God.
You can either let God lead you and enjoy all His abundance or you can ask God to bless your will and hope and pray that you eke through without getting hurt. Trust me, it's much more enjoyable to follow God rather than trying to deal with the meager crumbs you get when you ask Him to bless your will. My will only gets me into trouble, pain and heartache. His gives me abundance, joy, peace and love.
So, what's your choice for your life going to be? Your will or God's? The choice is even easier than the Capital One commercials!!!
We pray and ask God to heal our country but we don't leave it to God, we have to go to rallies, and protests, and push through legislation that we think will do the fixing for Him! What is wrong with us? If we truly believe that God will answer our prayers then we need to get out of His way and let Him take care of it! We all know He can, we just don't believe He will do it the way we want Him to. That's where our biggest problem is: we want God to do it our way, not His. People, let me tell you from personal experience, our way is never going to be His way! His ways are so much higher than we can even imagine!!! Let me give you an example from a memoir I recently read.
Two very well known Christian singers who are STRONG in their faith were at the beginnings of their career in music. They each had a different desire for the direction they would be going. One of them wound up falling ill. Seriously, deadly ill. That left the other out there fulfilling concert commitments by themself. It wasn't until God gave them what they wanted that they realized they weren't equipped for what they wanted. And then, and only then, did they submit to God's will and today they are one of the most amazing ministers of God in music that I've ever heard of. But they had to learn to do it in God's will, not by pushing their own onto God.
You can either let God lead you and enjoy all His abundance or you can ask God to bless your will and hope and pray that you eke through without getting hurt. Trust me, it's much more enjoyable to follow God rather than trying to deal with the meager crumbs you get when you ask Him to bless your will. My will only gets me into trouble, pain and heartache. His gives me abundance, joy, peace and love.
So, what's your choice for your life going to be? Your will or God's? The choice is even easier than the Capital One commercials!!!
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