FULLY ALIVE!

Your life will be as bright as the noonday sun. Job 11:17

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Amazed

Having worked in the field of education for more than 30 years, I was sure that I’d seen and heard it all, but I really never cease to be amazed.

I am amazed by the fashions of the students and the adults, like the guidance counselor who came to work with her shirt tied Daisy Duke style because she’d gotten her navel pierced the evening before and wanted to show it off…to elementary students!

I am amazed by the excuses for not doing homework and for coming to work late, like the teacher who said she woke up and decide to try a new route and got lost on the way.

I am amazed by the behaviors, like the teacher who thought a student might have intentionally clogged a toilet with paper too much tissue, so she gave her a paper towel and told her to use it to take all that excess soggy tissue out of the toilet. This one also falls under the category of amazing thinking – a paper towel to keep her hands clean while she took tissue from a nasty, recently used toilet? Hmm.

Fortunately, not all of the things that amaze me are negative. Daily I am amazed by the glory of nature – the beauty of the clouds, the majesty of the trees, the melody of the birds. In the Psalms David declared, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3). Nature alone is proof that He is and that He is great!

I cannot share these amazements, good and bad, without acknowledging that sometimes I have been amazed by my own thinking and my own behavior and surely I confess, it was not always good. Some of it was selfish. Some of it was vengeful. Some of it hurt others. I am especially sorry about that and this, perhaps, is why I am most amazed by God and His grace, His mercy and His love for us even when we falter.

As Deuteronomy tells us, He is “God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God” (Deuteronomy 10:17 ESV). Sometimes we forget that or, at the very least, we take it for granted. The Desperation Band sings, “You dance over me while I am unaware. You sing all around, but I never hear the sound. Lord, I’m amazed by you – how you love me! How wide, how deep, how great is your love for me! Lord, I’m amazed by you – how you love me!”

He formed light; He created darkness (Isaiah 45:7, ESV); He made “heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and” He preserves all of them (Nehemiah 9:6, ESV). He is “the Rock, His work is perfect, all His ways are justice.” He is “a God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright” (Deuteronomy 32:4, ESV) and yet, He loves us. He loves us. So much so that He pursues us! As long as we live in this sinful and fallen world we will sin – even those of us who are believers (though Jesus paid our sin debt), and we may still have to deal with the consequence of sin. He knows the pain of sin, so He teaches us and shows us His way, a better way, the way that He desires for us. He pursues us. He never lets go of us. He loves us! He is amazing, and I am amazed!

LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1SoPfCIm80


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BOGO?

You know you want it!  As a matter of fact, you don’t just want it, you gotta have it.  It might have something to do with the fact that it’s 3:00 am and you’re obviously wide awake.  More likely it has to do with the fact that you can really see yourself with it.  Why wouldn’t you have it?  You should have had it already?  Actually, you should have thought of it.  Clearly everyone except you has one.  It just makes sense to have it.  Life would be so much easier with it.   And it’s so cheap.

What is it?

WHATEVER they are selling during the graveyard shift of television – that period between 1:00 am and 6:00 pm when “good” television has signed off.  Rather than playing the National Anthem and really signing off the way they did when I was a young girl, networks and affiliates sell their airtime to sponsors, and sponsors use this time to sell us on the latest, greatest, can’t-live-without-it inventions.  It is the time of infomercials.

I’ve been sucked in, and so have you.  Even now a Showtime Rotisserie is perched on a Baker’s rack in my kitchen.  A PedEgg is tucked away in my luggage.  I’ve secretly been thinking about buying that “red pan” – you know, the one that nothing sticks to.

There are a few products that I would actually volunteer to do infomercials for.  I’m a firm believer in that Showtime Rotisserie.  Cooking is easy AND it cleans up even easier.  The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser really is magical.  It cleans EVERY thing from walls to tubs to tennis shoes.  I’ve told a gazillion people about these and other gadgets; they’re amazing.

When you discover a great product, don’t you want to tell?  If you knew the cure for cancer, wouldn’t you share?  Of course you would, so let me tell you about the best discovery ever.  It’s a balm.  And it comes from Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22).  No, it’s not for scaly elbows or dry, cracked heels.  It is for the sin-sick soul!

Do you need the balm?  There’s no BOGO ( buy one-get one free) offer.  You don’t have to telephone within the next seven minutes, and there’s no shipping and handling.  You don’t even need a major credit card or checking account.  You just need to “confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Do you already have the balm?  It’s a much better “deal” than a Sham-Wow or a Spin Mop, far more needed than a Slice-O-Matic and will serve one better than George’s Lean Mean Grilling Machine.  Share it.  Look for opportunities to tell others the good news not of the infomercial but of the Savior, the Balm in Gilead.  He will heal their sin-sick souls.

RESOURCES

There is a Balm in Gilead:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fcMxI_6xsk

Sharing Your Faith 101:  https://billygraham.org/story/sharing-your-faith-101/

 

 


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Window Shopping

It was almost a ritual.  Sunday School followed by morning worship that lasted most of the day (so I never understood why they called it morning worship) then home to a dinner that my mom had actually prepared just after breakfast, a nap for dad and then a short drive into town just as the sun was setting to go window shopping!

Those of you under the age of 50 probably have never heard of window shopping – looking at the goods displayed in shop windows, especially without intending to buy anything. If you have heard of it, your probably can’t understand it. Well, think of it like shopping online. You put a lot of stuff into your cart, but you never check out! Researchers (yes, someone actually studied window shopping) say that there are great benefits from window shopping – exercise, relieved stress and raised aspirations are just a few, not to mention you save money!

For us, it was a great family time. It was almost a kind of “date night” for mom and dad as they walked along whispering to each other, gazing into the windows of the furniture store, reminiscing about old times and making plans for their future – and ours. For my sister and I, it was a time of dreaming. Our favorite window gave a gaze into the local 5 and dime. As we grew, our interests shifted to the clothing stores. Sometimes we would stop for ice cream and enjoy our cones and sandwiches as we walked, talked and “shopped,” our imaginations running wild.

That’s what window shopping is really about – letting your imagination run wild. You imagine all the things that you could have, the life you could live. Imagination can be a good thing. And not. Especially when it comes to living the Christian life. We were not meant to live a life of imagining what could be, what we might have. John 10:10 teaches us that Christ came that we might have an abundant life, here and in the hereafter.

When you window shop you never go into the store, you never try on the goods, you don’t even get to touch them. You simply watch from a distance, separated by that pane of glass and separated from the joy of touching, holding, knowing, having. When we window shop God’s word, we read of all that He has promised – rest, power, strength, peace, victory, life eternal! (Matthew 11:28-29; Isaiah 40:29-31, Proverbs 1:33; John 14:27, Romans 8:37-39), but we separate ourselves from possessing these gifts and knowing the full joy of them. Just as we cannot really imagine owning some of the possessions behind the glass of the store windows, we tell ourselves that we cannot really receive God’s blessings. For certain, we don’t deserve His love.

We look with our human eyes and think with our human thoughts, so it is difficult for us to comprehend. God does not love us because we are lovable or because we deserve His love. Our hearts are innately deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We are evil and we do evil (Romans 3:10-12). But it is not just God’s nature to love; He is love, true love, not the sappy movies and Valentine’s Day kind of love but agape love, love that sacrifices, and He chooses to lavish His love on those who need it the most, those who least deserve it, those who rebel even against Him (1 John 4:10; John 6:44; Romans 5:8).

Unlike the cold panes of glass that separate us from the stores’ goods, God invites us to come – come drink, come eat, come live (Isaiah 55:1-2). Don’t let Satan trick you into thinking you are unworthy. He will have you forever on the outside looking in, nose pressed against the glass, desiring what you think is beyond you. Come. Come into God’s covenant. Come into His love (Isaiah 55:1-3).


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Lessons From a Squirrel

If we would pay attention, all of life can teach us a lesson, even a squirrel.  For example, just this morning as I sat on my screened porch for quiet time with my LORD, I learned that the porch is not always the best place for me.  I can too easily become distracted by the swarms of birds that come to my feeders, the neighbor’s cats that slither betwixt and between my Hostas, the beeps of the garbage trucks, the hoot of a faraway owl and THE SQUIRRELS.

This morning in particular it was a squirrel that distracted me, so much so that I stopped to capture video.  I’m thinking that it is a mother-to-be squirrel because she is obviously building a nest in my neighbor’s attic (not the neighbor with the cats).  I watched her sneak in and out of the attic venting carrying small branches of leaves.  She would poke her head from the venting, watch and listen for things or people that might harm her then, when she deemed it safe, climb to the roof ridge before scurrying down one side of the roof and making a jump to a nearby tree.  She would gnaw a branch from a tree then, with branch in mouth, make the return trip – jumping back onto the roof, climbing to the ridge then down to the vent and into the attic.  I captured a series of photos and three 10-minute videos.  She must have made a gazillion trips.

So what did I learn? I mean, other than not to have my quiet time on the screened porch. I learned a lot, but I will share just one lesson – one I believe is powerful. God calls us to be lifelong learners.

My neighbor’s attic is not that squirrel’s first home. It very likely is not her only home because typically squirrels construct at least two nests – one to live in and a backup in the event something happens to or danger comes near the first. My neighbor’s roof may not be the first roof that squirrel climbed. Squirrels are continuous learners, forever learning which trees to climb, how to escape from predators (remember those cats), where to build nests, how to find food (like they’ve discovered my bird feeders), where to hide their goodies, etc. They cannot afford to become complacent and to stop learning, and neither can we.

Proverbs 1:5-7 teaches us that the wise hear and increase in learning, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and that fools despise wisdom and instruction. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13-14 that as believers we are to be continuous learners growing in the LORD. TM Moore writes, “The basic meaning of the word, “disciple,” is learner. A disciple is one who learns. A disciple of Jesus Christ is one who learns from Him.”

What are we to learn? A lot! Our calling is to learn about Jesus, who He is, what His plan is and how we fit into that plan. Colossians 2:2-3 (MSG) says Believers can be woven into God’s tapestry of love, be in touch with everything there is to know of God and “have minds confident and at rest” because they will be filled with the wisdom and mystery of God. Who wouldn’t want this?!

Jesus commands us, “Learn from Me” (Matthew 11:29 ESV). The verb “learn” as used here expresses continuous action. When we want to talk about an action that is happening now or at this time and is unfinished, we use the present continuous tense. Learn now, learn later, learn repeatedly, learn continuously. That’s a lesson from a squirrel. That’s a lesson from our LORD!

SOURCE

http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/talking-points/16887-lifelong-learners

 


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In the Eyes of Passersby

As with most things in life, there is a “best” posture.  A posture for divers.  A posture for runners.  A poster for walkers.  Mine is surely not “the best.”  It’s kinda “slumpy” at times, especially in the third mile.

But I’ve noticed something interesting about myself and my walking; it happened just this morning, but I realized this was not the first time.  I even came to realize that it is something that happens with a degree of automaticity.

Let me try to paint a picture.

I was in my third mile.  It was hot; it’s always hot in July in North Carolina.  And it was humid; it’s always humid in July in North Carolina.  My clothes were beginning to droop as was my hair, my brow, my spirits and, yes, my posture.  Heading home there is a slight hill.  In my car I barely notice it; walking, it’s Mount Everest!  I was really thinking that I might not make it, and then it happened.

Someone drove past me.

I immediately straightened my back, picked up my pace and unfurled my brow. It’s as if I suddenly forgot how tired I was, how sweaty I was, how desperate I was to reach the shower and my air conditioned home. I instantly had a walker’s posture!

Isn’t that how we are at times – changing our posture, changing our “walk” when others are around to see? Here’s a news flash: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes…” (Hebrews 4:13a NLT) Add to this that “[p]eople judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT).

As Christians and believers, ours is to ALWAYS be a posture that reflects our LORD, not just when others pass us by. Joy Williams asked in her song by the same title, “Do they see Jesus in me?” That’s the “best” posture in our daily walk, one that reflects Jesus to others – His love, His mercy and His grace. He alone is “the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:13b NLT)

Listen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwiF3HE4cQ8

 


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Thinking About What You’re Thinking About

An amazing discovery I’ve had since retiring is that my mind wanders. Not short trips but journeys.  In a matter of minutes my thoughts race from laundry to shopping lists to telephoning a friend to a Scripture I read to a program on television to a conversation with my mom to whether I should mow the lawn or not and back to the laundry and should I do a load of “whites” or “colors.”  It’s easy to dismiss that kind of thoughtlessness, but Scripture teaches that as a man thinks in his heart, so he is.  What does that mean?  Studylight.org writes, “A man is as his thoughts.”  I like to put it this way, “You are what you think about!”

The way that we think determines to a large if not complete part how we live, what we do, who we do it with, where we go and who we are.  Just let that soak in for a few.

My thoughts dictate whether I am going for a walk or lounging in the recliner.  My thoughts lead me to telephone a friend or dwell in quiet time.  My thoughts guide my decision to drive through a fast food restaurant or stir up a meal from the pantry.  My thoughts determine whether I will pray about a situation or gossip about it.

It is crucial that we think about what we are thinking about and, as 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 teaches, learn to take our thoughts captive.  Our minds do not have to be open pastures allowing any and every creature to pass through.  We can and, more importantly, we should erect fences that hold captive the thoughts we should dwell on and keep out those that would not only prove detrimental to our well-being but those that rob us of peace with God, peace in our relationships and peace with ourselves.  You know, the spirit-killers and joy-robbers – the thoughts that keep us from being who God created us to be.

Philippians 2:5 (AKJV) says, “Let this be the mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This Scripture should raise for you as it did for me the question of How – How do I have the mind of Christ?

First, you must know Christ. If you don’t know Him, you cannot possibly have his mind. Settle this business first! You can visit the SALVATION tab at the top of this page to learn how you can have a personal relationship with Christ as your Lord and Savior.

To those who know Him, Scripture gives guidance for our thought life.

  • Romans 12:2 (NASB) says, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Women are somewhat experts on renewal; you know, new hairstyle, new wardrobe, new shoes. Those things are nice, but what we need is a new mind, new thinking. We need to continuously renew our minds through prayer and the study of God’s word. Renewal is an ongoing process.
  • 1 Peter 1:13 (KJV) says, “gird up the loins of your mind.” I love Scriptures like this because I am forced to go deeper in my study to understand the meaning. Gird is not a word we tend to use freely in the American language, and our use of the word loins is typically preceded by the words beef or pork.

The Art of Manliness.com writes, “Back in the days of the ancient Near East, both men and women wore flowing tunics. Around the tunic, they’d wear a belt or girdle. While tunics were comfortable and breezy, the hem of the tunic would often get in the way when a man was fighting or performing hard labor. So when ancient Hebrew men had to battle the Philistines, the men would lift the hem of their tunic up and tuck it into their girdle or tie it in a knot to keep it off the ground. The effect basically created a pair of shorts that provided more freedom of movement. Thus to tell someone to “gird up their loins” was to tell them to get ready for hard work or battle. It was the ancient way of saying “man up!”

Well, we don’t have to “man up,” (Ladies, don’t get upset.) but we do need to “step up” and “mature up,” especially in our thinking. This Scripture calls us to prepare our minds for the battle. What battle? The battle with Satan. He knows that if he can wriggle his way into your thoughts (doubt, anger, bitterness, jealousy, revenge, etc.), he can control you. Remember, “a man is as his thoughts,” and “you are what you think about.”

Just as the Hebrew men lifted their hems and tucked them into their girdle to free themselves to fight more effectively, so we need to hem up our thoughts, tuck in those that are of Christ (I am his child, John 1:12; I am a friend of Jesus, John 15:15; I am no longer a slave to sin, Romans 6:6; In Christ Jesus I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30, etc.), and keep out those that are of Satan (I am no good, I am a loser, I am weak, I can’t help myself, etc.)

Think about what you are thinking about.


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Missing the Message

Author, Ray Hollenbach, wrote:

“Everyone reveres the prophet after he’s dead. But in his own day the prophet is rejected, ridiculed, scorned, misquoted, misunderstood, vilified, and in some cases shot in the head.

Today on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States, in predictable Biblical tradition we have honored the prophet after he’s gone, and in short order have reduced the honor to an innocuous three-day weekend for federal employees and school children. In honor of Dr. King, Sears, Best Buy, WalMart, Kohls, Kmart, and Toys R Us all offer fantastic deals of up to 75% off!

Even when Dr. King’s words are Googled and repeated in civic ceremonies, we listen to them with selective hearing and digest the sound bites like hors d’oeuvres at the reception afterward. But the words of the prophets were never meant to go down easy–even for those who agree with them.

Nearly every schoolchild can tell you Dr. King “had a dream,” but perhaps only one in ten can articulate that dream.”.

Can find no real argument here, can you?

No, because this is an all too familiar pattern.  This tends to be how we function – even as Christians and even when it comes to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Didn’t the Pharisees build tombs to honor the dead prophets?  Didn’t they decorate, even, the graves of the righteous?  (Matthew 23:29-31)  Don’t we honor and worship God on Sundays and sometimes forget Him by Monday morning?  Haven’t we, at times, failed to truly internalize His truths and hid His words in our hearts – much less apply them in our daily living?

Hollenbach suggests that “we could honor Dr. King’s memory with a simple and sobering meditation today: Will I hear all of God’s word–or only that portion that goes down easy?”  I suggest we honor our Lord with a simple commitment to internalize His word, hiding it in our hearts that we might not sin.” (Psalm 119:11)

RESOURCES FOR YOU

MemVerse (A Free Scripture Memory System)

https://www.memverse.com/

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) (How to Memorize Scripture)

https://carm.org/how-to-memorize-scripture

Bible Gateway Blog (Ten Tips for Memorizing Bible Verses)

Ten Tips for Memorizing Bible Verses

Sermon Central (to read Ray Hollenbach’s full article)

http://www.sermoncentral.com/pastors-preaching-articles/ray-hollenbach-we-remember-dr-king-but-have-we-missed-his-message-2362.asp?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Jan 18, 2016&utm_campaign=scbpu?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Jan 18, 2016&utm_campaign=scbpu&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRojsqvMZKXonjHpfsX56egkX6CwgYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMSsBmMq%2BTFAwTG5toziV8R7DEJM1u2dkQXhXh

 

 


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The Perfect Gift

Tis the season.

To be jolly, the song says, but to go shopping for gifts is what the merchants (and my junk email box) say.  Each morning I awaken to find  announcements of one more sale, 20 additional percent off, another great buy and a last opportunity for a deal not to be missed.

Tis also the season to be stressed as you search for the “perfect” gift.

The perfect gift?  You know, the one that best expresses the giver while meeting a need or desire of the receiver.

It can’t be one sided.  Both the needs of the giver and the receiver must be met for the gift to be perfect.

My Sweetie opened his Christmas present last night.  Yeah, Christmas is six days away.  This seems to happen to us every year.  Sometimes it has been because I couldn’t wait to give him the gift.  Other times it has been because of schedules, travel and just other things that came up.  This year, it was because I had a perfect gift for him.

Now let me just say, it wasn’t what many would think a romantic gift.  It wasn’t a super unique gift.  It wasn’t an extravagant gift.  It was something simple.  But it was perfect because it expressed the giver (me) – my attention to his needs, my desire to see him happy, my recognition of his practical nature…  The gift also met a desire of the receiver (my Sweetie).

The gift?  His favorite hair tonic.

When you stop laughing, keep reading.

He has used this certain hair tonic ALL of his adult life.  His dad used this hair tonic.  This tonic has become increasingly difficult to find.  A bottle that used to sell for $8 when I first met him, was up for bid on ebay.  Bidding began at $35 per bottle!  He said a bottle used to sell for a couple of dollars!

Well, I had found a couple of bottles back in July when he was just about out.  We had visited stores, scoured the Internet and contacted the manufacturer.  I even visited a little country drug store and had the clerk contact their vendor.  It seems that those two bottles (found on Amazon) were going to be the last two bottles on this earth.  And then, I decided to search ebay one more time.  I found someone who had a few bottles at a ridiculous price.  I emailed this seller.  We went back and forth.  I made an offer to buy a case if he would give me a reasonable price.  I begged, pleaded and propositioned.  And, finally, we struck a deal – for 10 bottles!

So that was the gift.  A year’s supply of his favorite hair tonic.

So why did he open the gift early – and where am I going with this story?

First, two weeks ago he told me the two bottles from July were just about empty.  He asked if I thought I could find him some more tonic.  I laughed to myself knowing that I was sitting on a case, had been since July.  Last evening he asked if I had found any tonic because he probably had a day’s worth.  I said, “No.”  He asked, “Did you forget?”  I said, “I didn’t look.”  He seemed confused by this response.  (Probably because this would be the first time I didn’t respond to a request.  Smile.)  After a few minutes of silence, he restated his plight; he was almost out.  He had turned the bottles upright to drain every drop.  He was sure I, the Internet Queen, would have found some by now.

So, I gave him the nicely wrapped Christmas present.

And when he opened it, you would have thought it was keys to a new Ford F250 (his favorite truck)!

It was the perfect gift.  It expressed my love; it met his need and desire!

Where am I going with this long story?

My gift wasn’t really PERFECT.  But there is a perfect gift given by a perfect God.

God gave His Son, Jesus, as gift to us, a sinful world.

Jesus, perfectly expresses the giver, God.  “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…”  (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)  “He is the image of the invisible God…” (Colossians 1:15 ESV)

This gift, Jesus, perfectly meets our need.  “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV)  “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…”  (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)

In fact, our deepest needs can only be met through Jesus.  He is the hope that will not disappoint and the hope that is renewed every day –  “His compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Jesus is the perfect gift given by our perfect, loving God.

Have you unwrapped His gift?


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A Better Dance Partner

I am not a dancer.

My sister revoked my “Black” card a long time ago.  She said that I had absolutely NO rhythm.  I could not argue, but that is not why I am not a dancer.  Not really. 

It’s because I tend to lead.

In many types of partner dance, lead and follow are designations that need to be respected and adhered to.  Traditionally, the male leads and the female follows.  The lead guides and initiates changes and transitions.  The lead also chooses the steps and the direction.  When the follower matches the lead, the dance is smooth, coordinated, enjoyable to participate in and beautiful to behold.

But when the follower tries to lead?  Oh, that is a different story.

The troubled church in the book of James provides both an example and a lesson for us.  In this text we find a church out of sync – unresolved issues of who will lead and who will follow.  Specifically, James writes, “[Y]our passions are at war within you?  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4: 1-4 ESV)

The church, the people, want to lead.  When we read verses 7 and 8 we learn the real problem – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  They want to have things their way rather than yield to God. They want to choose the steps and determine the direction.  They want to lead while God follows. 

It doesn’t work that way in dancing.  It doesn’t work that way in life. 

In dancing, the follower must respect, trust and give into the lead going wherever he leads.  The dance manuals tell us that “partner dancing requires awareness and clear communication; the follower must maintain a centered readiness to the leader watching for and ready to obey visual and physical cues; the leader will give clear direction.”  Additionally, the manuals say, “Physical contact is the most effective means of communication between the lead and the follower.  While the lead’s steps differ from the follower’s, the follower need only mirror the lead’s footwork.  The partners must work together to create synchronized movements.”

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Suzie Eller says, “[T]here’s a gift found when you let God take the lead. You start to understand His rhythm in your life and in your thoughts. Your will begins to align with His.” 

How do we draw near to God?  Just as the dance manuals tell us  Be are aware of Him and His communication.  Study to know His Word and His ways.    Maintain a centered readiness watching for and ready to obey His cues.  Listen and expect to hear Him speak to you.  Physical contact is the most effective means.  Meet with Him in Prayer.  

THIS WEEK determine to become a better dance partner.   Begin by knowing your Lead, your Heavenly Father.  Trust His lead (James 4:6) and develop a centered readiness for His cues (James 4:7) watching and being ready to obey (Luke 11:28, 1 Peter 1:14, Deuteronomy 11:1, 2 Corinthians 10:5, John 14:15, Romans 2:6-8). Then let Him lead, and enjoy the dance!


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Afraid? It’s Okay

NOTE:  THIS IS NOT MY WORK.  I WANTED TO SHARE THIS POWERFUL WORD FROM PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES.

Afraid? It’s Ok, I Am Too
By Melissa Taylor

“Hey Y’all. Melissa Taylor here.

I don’t usually put a post up that isn’t previously planned, but I thought today of all days, we needed some “real hope for real life.”

As I watched the news unfold about the attacks in Paris, I felt my heart crumble. Tears instantly flooded my eyes. I was sad, but I was also filled with fear. How can one not be scared when such horrible things happen and they are completely out of our control?

I instantly began to seek help through God’s Word. I thought I want to find that verse that says something like ~ “In this world we will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world.”  As soon as I thought about that verse, the word John 14:27 popped into my head. I figured that must be where that verse is. So I turned to John 14:27. To my surprise, it wasn’t the verse about in this world we will have trouble.  It said this:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

~John 14:27

Thank you Jesus, I needed that one too.

Y’all, I’m not going to try to spiritually coat this post with all positivity & cheer about how God will take care of it and we don’t need to worry. Although true, I also have to be honest. I’m scared. I have tears of sadness and fear as I type. So you know what we do in situations like this? As Lysa TerKeurst has told me many times, we need to “boss our feelings around.”

We might be fearful, but we don’t have to be ruled by fear. So, as your friend and leader in this OBS study, I want to offer you some encouragement and REAL HOPE amidst all that’s going on in the world.

The best way I know to do that is through the sharing of God’s Word and prayer.

Let’s unite to #PrayForParis, for France & our world.

PrayForParis

Thank you @SJMCalligraphy for this beautiful graphic.

Philippians 4:6-7 tell us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Let’s hang on to that today. Are you with me? It’s OK to be afraid and sad, but we don’t want to stay there. Instead, turn to Jesus and allow His peace to take over. And don’t let it stop there, point others to this hope as well.”

Proverbs 31 Ministries

http://proverbs31.org/