Leap of Faith

     Leapfrog. Lords a leaping. Leap into the air. And of course today is leap year. But my favorite, leap is leap of faith.
     Yesterday we did some leaping. And running and grunting and groaning. And laughing and smiling.   We played tennis again. Young vs Old. We had so much fun!  Yes. I was on the Old side. But we did alright. We won four games....out of like 24. But at least we won some!
     I noticed while we were playing that my mind would leap around occasionally. Like when I heard the ice cream truck. I just knew we had played hard enough for a treat. But no one even seemed to hear me when I announced the ice cream truck over and over.  That's what I get for playing with a bunch of competitive guys.
     My doubles partner made an amazingly wonderful observation. He loves playing basketball. But he said playing tennis was much more fun because he got to play with us!  Awww.....
     But on to that leap of faith. Ever want something so badly you just didn't know what to do?  You knew it was right. You had prayed and prayed. It was in line with the Scriptute. But it just didn't look like it was going to happen.
     Leap of faith.  Believing something you can't see. Trusting God for something that the world would call impossible. Guess what. God can do anything!  In fact, Jesus said it!
      Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings, but for God everything is possible.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:26‬ ‭
     There is absolutely nothing God canNOT do!  Sure you may have some sore muscles. You may be very tired from leaping. You may turn your ankle (yeah I did that yesterday too). You might even almost miss your step and feel like you're falling off a cliff instead of landing safely.
     But trust Him!  Take the leap of faith. God doesn't give you the desire without providing a way to achieve it. And absolutely nothing is impossible for my God!

Dates

  

   Dates.  Birthdays.  Wedding Anniversaries.  We all have dates we remember, or at least we should!  But for some reason my brain recalls unusual dates and odd details about them.

     For instance.  25 years ago tonight my husband and I ate at a local buffet called Bonanza.  Why do I remember this?  Because I was huge pregnant and the next morning we were in the hospital preparing to birth our son!   Guess it was a good thing that I just couldn’t eat much of my taco salad that night.   And a good thing that he ate a lot because he chose to not have food during labor and delivery since I couldn’t.   (Awwwwwww)

     March 16^th.  Now just why would that date be important?   Well I remember it being the birthday of one of my uncles.  And I remember having a little party for him out our house when I was a kid.  And on that March 16^th I also remember one of my cousins being there and asking for my mom’s green food coloring because she wanted to put a green streak in her hair for St Patrick’s Day!  But what else is there about March 16^th?  Well it always reminds me of John 3:16.  “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him would not die but have eternal life.”

     What happened on March 17^th of that same year?  Well I watched my cousin with the green hair run in a track meet haha! It was a cold, sunny and very windy day.   And for some reason my brain reminds me of that almost every year.  But my heart reminds me that “God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior” John 3:17.

     August 5^, 1992.  We were presented with a cake that said “Happy Anniversary”.  Why would I remember this date?  Because we had just had our third son the day before and we were in the hospital on our anniversary.  White frosting with yellow writing!

     Friday, April 13, 2001.  A sunny Friday.  A day of restoration in our family.  A day that was special and we took lots of pictures.  A day that was chosen by God for the occasion of recommitment.  How do I know God chose this day?  Because on Monday  March 5, 2001 we were putting on the Armor of God and quoting scripture.  Back then the kids liked to quote lots of verses and I seldom had time to get one in before dropping them off at school.  But this day was different.

     I can tell you exactly what house we were passing when the kids finished up and I had to come up with a verse really fast.  We were passing the home of one of my husband’s co-workers.  Oh my!  Think fast mom!  You’re up!  “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13” I said quickly.  Whew.  I remembered one!  But wait.  4:13.   That was the date we had discussed using for our special occasion.  Our recommitment.  But I had been unsure.  “Lord?  Is that You?  Are you trying to tell me something?”

     I drove on to work, praying.  As I entered the building and turned on the radio, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman singing “I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength………”  Wow.  If that wasn’t God…….  Right.  It WAS God!  And still is!

     That verse has been my go-to verse since 2001.  Whenever things are hard,  the verse will appear.  God reminding me that, as long as I trust in Him, I can do this!  And when things are good, a reminder that He is there all the time. 

     I could go on and on about dates.  But you get the idea.  And every day is important.  God has a special plan for us today.  And I’m expectantly waiting!  How about you?

     

If

God if I could just have a do-over.
If I could live that day again....
Things would be so different now.
If I hadn't committed that sin.

If I hadn't said those words.
If I hadn't used that tone.
If I hadn't let anger win.
If I had behaved like I'm Your own.

But all the ifs can't change it.
All the tears won't make it go away.
All the begging and pleading won't undo
What I said and did on that day.

That day that life began to spiral down.
When the sun went dark and the thunder rolled.
The lightening cracked like the sting of judgement
And a seemingly unending storm began taking its toll.

But wait!  I know You! My Savior and my God!
While I can't undo, You still forgive!
You even forget! Oh my!
Please forgive me right now!

On my knees I bow before you Lord.
I ask you to take my sin away.
Teach me, Lord, to be like You
In each day and in every way.

I can't undo. But I can change
And show true love like You.
Thank You, God, for taking my mess
And using it for Your good!

Don't Give the Devil a Chance

      "I'm so mad I can't see straight!"  Ever heard that?  Ever said that?  Perhaps you feel you have a right to be angry. And maybe you do.
     “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. Don't give the devil a chance.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:26-27‬ ‭GNB‬‬
     The enemy is really good at reminding us of something someone did to hurt us. He wants us to get mad at that other person. He even tries to convince us that it's our right to be mad, yell at the other person. Call them names. After all, look what he/she did to you!
     Now wait just a minute here. Are you a child of God?  Well I can tell you from first hand experience that He doesn't want His children behaving that way.  Didn't He tell us to 'turn the other cheek'?
     Once again pride has stuck it's ugly nose where it doesn't belong. So let's just stop right here, right now.
     "Lord I repent of my pride once again. This very moment I ask You to change my heart. Guard it from the temptation to give in to the devil and be angry.  I don't want to give him the slightest chance.  I don't want to make him happy!  One thing always leads to another. I'm sorry. Please restore, renew and revive. Help me be a shining example of You. And You don't retaliate when wronged. You don't talk behind someone's back. You love. Just love. I thank You for Your wonderful mercy. Amen"

God Doesn't Love Me........Any More Than He Loves Anyone Else

   

     I walked into church this morning not realizing I had an attitude. It was a little church I've visited several times. Notice I said visited. So why was I kinda bent out of shape when I noticed someone has placed a Bible to save their seat right were I usually sit when I visit?
     I found a seat just one pew in front of my usual place. And I began my usual people watching prior to the start of the service.
     "You are not more important to me than anyone else here."  Wait. What?  God?  Is that You?  I was suddenly struck with the realization that I was suffering from a bad case of pride. Why on earth would I ever think I was better than these sweet people?   Furthermore, until that moment I didn't realize that I even thought that.
     “Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭GNB
     The sermon began. About pride. God was definitely telling me something. Pride. I thought I had already learned this lesson. Obviously not.
     God loves us too much to let us think we are hot stuff. He can't use a prideful person. At least not while pride rules the heart. But He can break that prideful heart if we let Him. Lord break my heart!
     A prideful person is always competing.  The prideful person refuses to admit mistakes. Whoa. Pretty sure I just saw myself in that mirror.
     “First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭MSG‬‬
     So here it is. God loves me. But not more than He loves you. He loves us all the same. He sent His Son to die for my sins. And He sent His Son to die for your sins. As they say, the ground at the foot of the Cross is level. By God's design.
     Today I repent.  Thank You Lord for showing me that I suffer from pride. I ask that You continue humbling me until You can use me. Truly use me.

Is God Trying to Get Your Attention?

“Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:30‬ ‭
     Is God trying to get your attention?  He only wants what is best for you. And because He loves you so much He will use anything and everything to get your attention. To get you to open your eyes.
     So stop the madness!  Stop blaming others for everything bad that is going on in your life. And look at Him. Talk to Him.
     Yes. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. Let Him show you what He's been trying to show you. He loves you so much!
     Today is the day to realize that He is working all things together for your good and His glory. Trust Him. And watch the clouds roll away.

A Cake

   

     A cake. Before it is mixed you can tell what is the mix the eggs the oil and water. But it won't taste good that way. Once you beat it together it's impossible to discern which part is which. It looks like a mess. Then it gets really hot. But at just the right time, it is removed from the oven. Cooked to perfection. It's a cake. But it can't be a cake until it has been beaten and heated. Trust the Lord through the beating and the cooking. He's making an amazing cake out of your life.


     Ever feel like you've got a handle on things?  You know what's going on in your life. You know where each piece fits. What each part is supposed to do.
     Then, things get stirred up. You feel out of control. You pray and ask God what is happening. But you are too caught up in your circumstances to even listen for His answer.
     Suddenly things get quiet. And you think that storm is over only to find out that your chaos has now been surrounded by unbearable heat!  'When will it all end?  How can I survive this?' These thoughts sound familiar?
   
     “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭
     “You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭
     “God is my saviour; I will trust him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength; he is my saviour.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

    Consider the oven a storm of life. “Jesus got into a boat, and his disciples went with him. Suddenly a fierce storm hit the lake, and the boat was in danger of sinking. But Jesus was asleep. The disciples went to him and woke him up. “Save us, Lord!” they said. “We are about to die!” “Why are you so frightened?” Jesus answered. “How little faith you have!” Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop, and there was a great calm. Everyone was amazed. “What kind of man is this?” they said. “Even the winds and the waves obey him!””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:23-27‬ ‭

     Notice that Jesus was with them in the storm. In fact, He got in the boat first and they went with Him!  When the storm came He was asleep. And they were afraid. What were they thinking?  The Messiah was with them!  Yet they were afraid. Those silly disciples!
     Ummmm.......  This sounds way too familiar. Just like Jesus was with His disciples then, He's with us now. In the storm or in the oven, He is there with us. In fact, He was there first. He goes before us.
     Speaking of ovens, how about this. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, “Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭
     These guys came out of the furnace without even smelling singed!  They put their trust completely in the Lord. But how about that cake now? Are you feeling like you're in the midst of the oven and it's getting pretty hot?  Just hold on. Relax in Him. Watch the gooey mess form and rise.  Take a deep breath and smell the amazing cake He is making!  But only when you trust Him, completely, with all the ingredients.

Running From God

     Are you running from God?  Blaming other people for the things that have gone wrong in your life?  It's not their fault.  Your issue is not with your husband or wife. It's not with your kids or your parents. It's not with your friends or coworkers. It's with the Lord.
     Every step you take in your desire to get farther from God is stomping all over the hearts of those who love you. Is it worth it?  You know what?  There is no where you can go to get away from God anyway. Your running is futile!
     This is not about your marriage. It's not about your job or your parenting skills. It's about you and God. Period.
     So stop. Right where you are. Now. Turn around. Look up. You are looking into the face of your Savior. He has been there all along. Running after you. He loves you so much!  Go ahead. Do it. One step and you are in His arms. Covered in forgiveness. Living the amazing life He has planned for you.  Time is wasting. Won't you take that one step in the right direction now?  Please?

““But even now,” says the Lord, “repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning. Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough.” Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭

““Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them — what do you do? You leave the other 99 sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one that got lost until you find it. When you find it, you are so happy that you put it on your shoulders and carry it back home. Then you call your friends and neighbours together and say to them, ‘I am so happy I found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate!’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:4-6‬ ‭

Peter's Misery

     The story is familiar. We've heard it a thousand times. Recently a friend reminded me of it and within hours I read yet another reminder.  A reminder of Peter's misery.

“Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, “I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!” Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you that before the cock crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.” Peter answered, “I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came to him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it in front of them all. “I don't know what you are talking about,” he answered, and went on out to the entrance of the courtyard. Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, “He was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it and answered, “I swear that I don't know that man!” After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. “Of course you are one of them,” they said. “After all, the way you speak gives you away!” Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!” Just then a cock crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.” He went out and wept bitterly.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:33-35, 69-75‬ ‭

     Oh the misery of Peter!  With one breath declaring his undying devotion to the Lord.  Then doing just as Jesus had said he would do. He denied even knowing Him. Not once. Not twice. But three times before morning!
     Wait!  What just happened?  The memory of what Jesus had said must have echoed over and over in Peter's mind.  Peter wept bitterly in utter misery.  "How could I have done such a thing!" Peter must have thought. As memories of all he had seen Jesus do and had participated in over the last few years flooded his heart, he wept bitterly.
     The healing of the sick. The people Jesus had raised from the dead. Broken hearts mended. Ruined lives restored. Sins forgiven.  Fish and bread that had seemed to appears out of thin air!  Not just a few but enough to feed thousands!  Oh!  And how could he forget?  When he focused on Jesus he was even able to walk on water!
     But now it was like he had thrown it all away in just one night. Know anyone who has ever done that?  Have you ever done that?  With one bad decision. With one prideful action. All you had was gone. Hopeless. Never to be gotten back because too much had happened for you to get back what you threw away.
     Peter went back to his old life. Fishing. Then this happened.
   
“Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.” “We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing. As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water's edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then he asked them, “Young men, haven't you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:3-6‬ ‭

Jesus prepared their breakfast on the beach that morning. And served them. He didn't hold a grudge against Peter. He forgave him. In fact He spoke specifically to Peter.


“After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:15-17‬ ‭

     Peter went on to become a great preacher!  God was glorified in Peter's life and even in his death. Did he have to keep repenting for that one night of denying our Lord?  No. Jesus forgave him. Completely. Notice Peter was given the opportunity to declare his love for the Lord three times in that one conversation. Jesus didn't scold him or bring up the past. Instead He entrusted Peter with the hearts, souls and minds of His very own people.
     Are there things in your life you think He can't forgive?  Or He won't forgive?  Has the devil convinced you that there is no hope for you?  Are you running from Him?  Oh my friend!  He loves you so much!  Stop running away just for a second. Now look behind you. He's right there. So close you can touch Him!  And He wants to embrace you. Forgive you. And go with you as you live the amazing life He has planned for you.  Won't you come back to Him?  Today?

Most of All, Love

“Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭GNB‬‬

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. [Prov. 10:12.]”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬   (“Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬


     It really doesn't matter which translation you use, love is the answer.   Does this say that love hides the truth?  Not at all. It says that love forgives. Love doesn't remember the bad stuff.
     And just how important is this forgiving and forgetting kind of love anyway?  We should live as if our lives depend on it. After all, Jesus gave His very life because of love.
     Do you know Him?  Really know Him?  Would you like to?

My Chalkboard

     Last Christmas I got surprise after surprise. My plans were changed and the whole family surprised me. Then my husband told me he and I would be going on a trip to a beach outside the US. (We went to Jamaica!)  And they gave me the iPad I'm writing this on right now. So this year I wanted to make sure they didn't spend too much. I was so grateful for the sweet gifts I had gotten the year before. But I didn't want them being so extravagant this year. So. I asked for a simple chalkboard and chalk. 

     As it turned on, at the last minute, I needed a new mixer too and got that. But I also got  just what I had asked for. My chalkboard and chalk!  I will be the first to say that I am not an artist. But I am inspired. It's kinda funny. It's like I start getting little Holy nudges and a picture and scripture or phrase will pop in my head. 

     Like today. I was busily cleaning out a kitchen cabinet and 1 Cor 13:5 kept coming to mind. Love keeps no record of wrongs.

   
     So this is how it turned out. Yeah I know it's not artistic in the least. But I just felt inspired to show a bunch of erased chalk and then make the word 'wrongs' appear to be being erased.
      But what does this scripture mean?  Well. Let me give you a couple of examples. Have you ever had someone accuse you of something?  What did you do?  Did you lash back with things your accuser had done as well?  Did you start quickly scrolling through memories (or old texts or emails or voicemails) to come up with something?  Hmmmmm. Guess what. That's not love. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
      How about this one.....  Has someone done something to hurt you?  It's ok to hurt. But how did you respond?  Did you retaliate?  That's not love. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
     Love is kind. Love is patient. Love is forgiving. And forgiving. And forgiving again!  Just ask Jesus.  He forgives me all the time.  Because He loves me all the time.