IN TOUCH...

The new year is fast approaching; what will 2012 hold for you?  Many people are making resolutions, convincing themselves they are going to make some necessary changes in their relationships, work, study, or self-image.  I do that every year... I make a lengthy list of things I want to do differently.  I usually follow the list for a while, but then my resolve begins to disintegrate as I get back into old habits and old routines (or lose my list of resolutions). 

The best resolutions I have made and been able to stick to are held within the Holy Bible.  They are not of my making - these life attitudes and actions were told to us through God's Word - and they are not lengthy.  They are simple and easy to remember, so you don't need to rely on a list. 

1) Love God.
2) Love others.

Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Again, in John 15:10-12, Jesus says, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." When we place Jesus first, others next, and ourselves last, and abide in His love, then we experience the joy that comes from the Lord and our faith in Him, and we carry that joy with us throughout the celebrations and difficulties we experience in daily life. 

What are you going to resolve this year?  I am praying you will follow God's commandments, and find joy in the New Year...  it will be a year to remember!

Wishing you God's peace and mercy during the upcoming year... Happy New Year!!

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Thinking about "joy-stealers" this evening...

We all want to be happy.  Unfortunately, we often base our happiness on the circumstances we are going through.  As Christians, we need to recognize that being happy, being truly joyful, has nothing to do with one's job, age, education, appearance, or circumstance. It is an attitude that comes from knowing God is who He says He is, He is in the midst of every circumstance you are dealing with, and He is at work in your life. There are many emotions we experience that can cause us to lose our joy - those negative feelings that can invade your thoughts and pull you away from God.  Grief, doubt, worry, stress, fear, frustration, exhaustion, uncertainty, anger - these are just some of the "joy-stealers".  We all experience times in our lives when we become overwhelmed by these energy-draining emotions, when life knocks us down and it seems impossible to get back up.  There have many times when I have felt like I was drowning in negativity, and it became hard to believe that my current situation could ever be "worked to the good for those who love the Lord".  Yet, as I look back at those times, I see God's handiwork.  It becomes evident the work He has been doing in me.  And God promises He will bring that work to completion.  What a joyful thought!  He NEVER stops working on us. 

What "joy-stealers" are you experiencing in your life?  Whatever they are, turn them over to Jesus.  He knows what you are feeling - He knows when you are angry, scared, hurt, overwhelmed.  It is okay to acknowledge those feelings, and to ask for His help in letting them go.  Don't try to handle them yourself.

Joy is a choice; it is an attitude of confidence that God is in control - that He is present and working in your life and in this world.  So take back your joy, and find peace in the One who is, was, and always will be.

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What a great feeling... have a day to sleep late, catch up on some things around the house, and just spend some down time.  Happy Labor Day!!  

Isn't it interesting how, as we get older, time seems to move much faster than it did when we were young?  Before you know it, days become weeks, weeks become months, and a year has gone by in what seems like a blink of the eye.  It has been a good weekend - time spent with family.  Those moments are becoming fewer and fewer, as some of my siblings live in different states, and our two oldest boys are married, have moved away, and have lives of their own.  As they have become involved in their jobs and with their families, the time we get to spend together as a family becomes so precious.  Time to be treasured...

Time is fleeting.  In James 4:14-15, we are reminded that tomorrow is not a certainty.   "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." We do not know what tomorrow will bring.  So each day needs to be spent living and loving God and others - each day we need to make a difference somewhere... with someone. That is not an easy thing to do.  It is easy to let days get away from you, when you aren't feeling well, when you are too busy at work, when there is so much to be done at home, when unexpected problems arise.  Priorities can shift, and the most important things can get lost in the shuffle of daily life.  I am guilty of that... getting lost in the distractions of keeping up with the daily responsibilities.  I am trying to work on that.  I do not want to look back at my life, and find that I missed out on time with God, family, and friends because I was too busy doing things that really didn't matter in the long run.

I pray that you are finding those moments each day in which you can glorify God and make a difference in the lives of those you meet.  I pray that you are spending time with your family and friends whenever possible.  And I pray that, as each day passes, you grow in love and faith and service to others.

Have a great day! 

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I spent this weekend at the Awaken Conference in Paintsville, Kentucky.  It was an exciting and enjoyable two days of worshipping God and learning more about His Word.   The bands were awesome (some new and some old Christian rock), and the speaker was very good.  There were more than seven different denominations represented during the weekend, and there was much discussion about how unbelievers perceive the church.  The speaker was encouraging everyone to emphasize relationships of the church versus the church as a religion. 

The church is the body of Christ - and as Christians, we are that body.  The body of Christ is not about buildings or denominations; it is about relationships.  An analogy was used that I thought was very intriguing, and really made me think.  The speaker said, "Religion is when the church asks you to "wear your cross", "go to church", and "take communion".  A relationship with Christ asks you to "take up your cross", "be the church", and "live in communion with God"." In other words, being a Christian is about "walking worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10).  It is not just about doing all the outwardly "religious" things, although they are very important and meaningful when done in a spirit of humility and worship; it is about living your faith. It is about people seeing Christ in you, everywhere, all the time.

To bring others into the church - the body of Christ - we have to witness to them not only with our words but by the way we live.  They need to see our faith in action... during the good times AND during the terrible times.  They need to see the relationships we have with God, within the church, and outside the church. 

Are you living your witness?  Do people hear and see Christ in you?  It is time to take up your cross, be the church, and live in communion with God.

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Anger... a part of life.  We get angry about many things in the course of our lives.  Sometimes it is something as minor as someone pulling into a parking spot that we wanted. Sometimes it is something a little more substantial, like seeing someone treated unfairly.  Occasionally, it is something monumental, such as a betrayal caused by someone you love and trust.  The other day, in our staff Bible study, we were discussing one of the Psalms. Within the song, David cries out to God about his anger concerning the betrayal of one of his sons. He acknowledges the way he is feeling - the hurt and the anger. How do YOU deal with anger?  Do you hold it in and let it fester... or do you let it out and cause hurt to those around you?  Do you just ignore it, and act like it doesn't exist, or do you try to express it in a constructive way?  Do you go to God in prayer and ask for His guidance?

I was thinking about the times I have been extremely angry, and how I managed it.  More often than not, I kept my feelings to myself, letting them invade my thoughts and consume my energy. Sometimes I tried to ignore the angry feelings. On the occasions that I acted on my anger, it usually made the situation worse than it was to begin with. Satan loves when we lose it - when we strike out in anger. Letting our feelings fester, lashing out at others, ignoring our anger... none of these are healthy ways to manage angry feelings.  However, anger expressed appropriately can be the premise to working toward finding ways to solve the problem or change the situation.  God wants us to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). We can respectfully let others know our thoughts and opinions without losing our composure or temper.

What about those times when even that does not work; nothing you say or do will change the situation? Then you have to let go of the anger - acknowledge your differences and choose to forgive. Being the imperfect humans we are, it can be very difficult for us to let anger go.  But God knows how we feel - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We cannot hide anything from Him, although we try to convince ourselves we can.  We need to confess to Him our feelings of hurt, anger, fear, confusion, frustration... we need to open our hearts to the Lord in prayer, acknowledge the feelings we are having, and seek His help in letting them go. It is difficult to walk with Christ when you are carrying around all that negative baggage.  

Today, ask God to show you how to manage your anger in a productive manner. Ask Him to help you let go of the negativity and to love others as He loves you. Ask Him for the peace that only He can give. 

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I have been giving a lot of thought to leadership lately.  I have always been a leader, not a follower.  I am a positive person, one who sees the glass as half full, instead of half empty.  When faced with something that others say is not possible, I am determined to find a solution.  Sometimes that characteristic has been a favorable one; I have been able to succeed at many things and reach many goals I have set.  However, as I have grown in my relationship with Christ, I have begun to realize that the goals and visions that I had helped set and reach were often not God-driven, but "me"-driven.  I was so busy following what I thought God wanted me to do, that I was not listening to what He really wanted from me.

This morning, I had the privilege of listening to a group of high schoolers and adults share their experiences of the mission trip they had just returned from.  It was obvious that many lives had been changed from the interactions and services they had shared with the people they were helping.  The mission group spent most of their time helping with the construction of a home for a woman with seven children, and hosting a Bible school for the children there.  They also visited a community for adults with HIV/AID's, cerebral palsy, and severe arthritis.  These youth and adults shared stories and testimonies of how they were blessed and humbled by the very people they had gone to serve.  They had found that the spirit of the Lord was prevalent in the midst of the poverty and illness of the area - the people there were filled with the joy of the Lord! 

How is that possible?  People living in squalor, hungry for the basic foods, living with and dying from terrible diseases... yet welcoming strangers into their midst, working side by side, smiling, singing, worshipping, and praising the Lord.  What a wonderful example of leadership - spiritual leadership!  These people not only read and studied God's word, they lived it. 

Leadership is not about forcing people to change their beliefs. We cannot make them love God, or cajole them into a relationship with Christ.  We cannot make them support church programs or visions.  Spiritual leadership comes from following God.  To lead, we must follow the Lord's example in service to others and in obedience to God.  All of us have an inherent need to believe we are making a significant and valuable contribution to our communities.  People want to make a difference in the world around them.   As Christians, we can help make that happen by encouraging others to grow in their relationship with the Lord.  We can help them in their spiritual walk.  We can bring them face-to-face with God.  God will convince them He is a God of love and that He can be trusted.  The Holy Spirit will change their hearts.  As they begin to grow in their relationship with God, they will begin to see Him at work in their midst and will want to become more involved in His work and more obedient to His will.  And it is through His work they (and we) will make a difference in the world.

Are you ready to lead by following the Lord?  Come on... make a difference... let's change the world!

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"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

Peace... the Lord offers us peace despite our circumstances.  We all experience days, even weeks or months, that are uncertain or difficult; times when we are overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown, the worry of what is ahead, the loneliness of failed relationships, the grief of personal loss, the shame of wrongful actions. The peace that comes from the Holy Spirit is an indescribable calm that quiets our inner spirit and stills our troubled hearts.  It is a peace unlike any other.

Our lives are much less stressful when we place them in God's hands... God knows what is best for us.  The stress comes from trying to control all the situations in our lives, trying to solve all the problems, trying to force our own plans - instead of relinquishing it all to God and trusting in His abundant love, grace, and mercy.  God never fails us, and He never forsakes us.  He is ALWAYS with us. 

Do you need peace in your life?  Then let go. Give up control and accept His will. He knows what you need. You can trust Him with your present and your future...

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Well, the big "C" seems to be rearing its ugly head in my family lately.  My dad was diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor a couple of weeks ago, and I have two basal cell carcinomas that need to be surgically removed.  Fortunately for us, we both have very slow-growing cancers; my dad's cancer is extremely small and slow-growing, and my skin cancer is the most common and least concerning.  I have already had two basal cell carcinomas removed this past year, so I know there is no emergency and what to expect from the outpatient surgery. 

But it is amazing how any word beginning with "carcin..." can just bring your world to a screeching halt.  One minute your world is moving along at warp speed, and the next... well, suffice it to say that time seems to stand still for a brief period.  And then the brain begins to go a mile-a-minute, wanting to play the "what if?" or "if only..." game.  Unfortunately, too often that is our first instinct - to imagine all the worst-case scenarios and to play the blame game.  But I have learned, as I have grown older and a little wiser, that when the mind goes off in those negative directions, it just makes the situation worse. 

Life is about right here and now.  It is not about what happened in our past and how we might have done things differently.  It is not about what might happen in the future or how we are going to change things for the better in a few months or years. It is about the present moment; what are we doing now? 

Right now, I am trusting in the Lord.  I am secure in His Word, I am abiding in His love, and I am resting in His promises.  Whatever happens in the future is in His hands; I will just do the best job I can do right now with what I have been given - this moment, this hour, this day. 

Are you having one of those days? Your troubles may not be about a health issue. Maybe it is a job-related or relationship problem; maybe you are struggling with economic or housing issues.  You find your mind racing back and forth, unsure of what to do, where to go, how to cope, and the negative thoughts become overwhelming.  Now is the time to turn to Jesus; place your troubles in His loving hands.  Seek counsel in God's Holy Word. Give Him your past regrets and your uncertain future. And then do the best you can with what you have and where you are...

Remember, our troubles become less significant when we are immersed in the Lord's work.  I am in prayer for you today.  May God bless you and bring you peace. 

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By the end of the work day, I couldn't stop yawning.  Last night was one of those nights... tossing and turning, couldn't go to sleep, couldn't stay asleep.  I am not sure why. I didn't have anything in particular on my mind, but still I couldn't sleep. 

I can remember many nights in the past when I would wake in the night, thinking about problems from the previous day, or troubles that were facing me in the days ahead.  Or those nights when I was so overtired, so worn out, that I couldn't fall asleep.  There were times when I felt very alone, lying in the dark, while the whole world slept.  I was so immersed in my own thoughts and fears that I didn't consider the fact that God was right there, with me in the dark, ready to touch the deepest part of my heart and restore my soul. 

God does not sleep, and He is not aloof. He is with us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He sees and understands our problems. We have only to draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us. (James 4:8) When we know Him and His Word, we can find comfort, even during those long sleepless nights. We can be assured that He has provided for us in the past, He is with us in the present, and He will keep His promises in the future.  He is the light in our darkness, and our counsel in  uncertain times.  Praise Him!!

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." Psalm 16:7

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At church this past Sunday, the pastor was talking about life lessons - the things he had learned in the course of his ministering to his congregation.  One of his lessons was concerning God's perfect timing.  Timing is such an important element in so many things... being in the right place at the right time can determine whether you meet the person you are meant to be with, whether you are hired instead of someone else, whether you win the game or lose.  Sometimes our timing is right on, sometimes it is way off.

God's timing is never off, although it may often seem that way to us. We expect our lives to unfold how and when we want - in our time. When it doesn't, we have difficulty understanding why.  We don't understand the chronic illness of a loved one, the job we deserved but didn't get, the unfair treatment by a trusted colleague, the end of an important relationship, the unexpected death of a family member. We need to realize that, as humans, we cannot even begin to comprehend the way of the Lord. He sees far beyond what we can imagine.  One thing we can be assured of is "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".  Romans 8:28

Some of the storms we encounter in life are overwhelming and some seem to go on forever. In the midst of those storms, it can be difficult to fathom that any good could come out of it.  Yet it is often through those storms that we draw closer to the Lord. It is in the waiting - in the persevering - that we come to recognize God's mercy and His grace. We learn to lean on His promises and abide in His will.  And we discover the blessings that come from trusting in His timing.

Are you in the midst of a storm right now?  Remember, God is faithful; He keeps His promises. But He does it in His perfect timing...  so abide in Him.

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I was talking with my youngest son the other day about the future... he has just graduated from high school and we have been discussing what comes next.  In the course of our conversations, many things have come up - continuing education, increased independence, new relationships.  My son likes to make lists; he has been doing that since he could type. He was showing me his list of the characteristics he wants in a girlfriend.  It included the things that he likes - she must like college and NCAA football, have a certain hair color, like special needs children, be a Christian... and many more. 

It is interesting how we all have those images - ideas of the perfect girl or guy for us, the perfect job, the perfect home.  We have pre-conceived notions of exactly how we want our lives to play out and what is going to make us happy.  But life rarely unfolds the way we think it will.  Each day brings new situations, new experiences, and new choices that must be made. Sometimes there are bumps in the road, or the path we are on takes an unexpected turn. If we allow ourselves to be consumed by our image of how we want things to be, we can miss out on the possibilities and opportunities of what is actually right in front of us.  In our discussion about my son's list, I tried to explain to him that the image he had of the perfect girl for him might not be the one that God has for him.  Instead of a dark-haired girl who loves football, it might be a blond-haired girl who plays the piano and loves to read, or a red-headed girl who enjoys basketball and golf, and likes to write.  Regardless of what she looks like or the things she likes to do, the most important quality she needs to have is faith in God and the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.  When you have this in common, everything else falls into place. 

As we become older and can begin looking back at life, it becomes easier to see how our choices and experiences have shaped our lives.  What choices are you making today?  Are you staying open to what God has planned for you, or are you so stuck on your own plans that you can't see what He has put right in front of you? I encourage you to open your mind and your heart to what God has in store for your life.  Ask for His guidance in the choices you are making, and seek His will.  His plan is the best plan... trust in Him.

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I woke up early this morning, after tossing and turning most of the night.  My mind just wouldn't turn off; so much to think about.  This past weekend was one to remember... my youngest son graduated from high school.  A milestone in itself, but a huge one for my son.  Born with a rare syndrome, he has far surpassed what the doctors' expectations were when he was born.  We were told he would never walk, never talk, and would be severely retarded.  We were not even sure he would survive his first two weeks of life.  He underwent twelve surgeries before he turned one, and another 32+ in the following seventeen years of his life... yet on Sunday, he skipped and jumped to the stage, and received his diploma, hugging his superintendent and principal, and high-fiving the entire first row of faculty and staff as he returned to his seat.  And he graduated with greater than a 2.5 GPA.  He is a testament to the power of God and the goodness in people; it has truly taken a village to get him to this point in his life.  So many family members, neighbors, friends, churches, school staff, therapists, doctors, and nurses have played a crucial role in his accomplishment.  Their expertise, love, and prayers have gotten our family through the many difficult days, and they have celebrated with us during the milestones.  Words cannot begin to express our gratitude for their support and encouragement and love. 

Now begins a new chapter in his life... what lies before him is unknown.  We are excited to see where God will take him, and what his future will hold.  There are going to be many changes, but what an exciting time for him, as he follows the path God will set before him.  Some of these changes will be good, some will be difficult.  Life is a never-ending roller coaster, with many highs and lows, many twists and turns. The only certainty we have is our Lord and Savior, and His unending love for us.  Just as we do on the roller coaster,we have to hold on tight, to hold onto His promises through the many ups-and-downs of life. It is in Him that we trust as we step forward into each day.   

I pray that you know Him like I do.  If not, He is patiently waiting for you... and He will change your life forever.  There will still be good days and bad days.  But He will walk every step with you and provide for your needs as only He can.  Trust in Him, and make a change today...

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There are many people hurting today... wounded, confused, left without homes and belongings, suffering the loss of loved ones.  So many tornadoes lately.  A reminder to us that life as we know it can change in an instant. 

We are living in an uncertain world.  The media is teeming with bad news - tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, economic disaster, corrupt government and corporations.  Sometimes it just stops you in your tracks, and takes your breath away.  It becomes difficult to see the good in this world, as we are inundated with the media coverage of the problems surrounding us.

Yet, it is evident... even in the worst disasters, the hardest times, the deepest sorrows, the good in people surfaces.  Neighbor helps neighbor, workers search tirelessly to discover life amidst destruction, those who "have" help those who are in need, a loving hand is extended in sympathy and compassion.  I see it every day.  I work at a church, and I have a daily reminder of how good people can be, as they reach out in love to the world around them. 

I am praying today for the many people who have suffered loss in the recent tornadoes.  I am thankful for the emergency personnel, utility workers, volunteers, neighbors, and community churches and organizations who have stepped in to help and to bring healing to the hurting.  I pray that they will find the strength and resources necessary to provide aide to those who are in need. 

There is power in prayer... I encourage you to spend time today and every day in prayer for the many who are hurting in your community, in your state, in your country, in your world. 

Have a blessed day! 

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There are times in life when you wonder where life is taking you... why the road takes an unexpected turn... what is waiting around the bend. As humans, we want to be in control of the events in our life.  We want to determine when, how, what, why, where. We want our path to follow the plans we have made.  We think we know what is best for us.

But what if we are wrong?  What if there is something better, something we haven't even considered, something that is entirely different from our self-determined plans?  You know, it is good to plan; plans are necessary for success.  But our plans need to fit within God's plan for us.  When we make plans without including God in the process, we are limiting ourselves.  God created each of us uniquely different, with certain gifts and talents to be used for His works.  He provides opportunities that allow us to develop and improve our talents, that we may better use them for His glory.  And when we choose His path, He equips us to meet the challenges that lie before us.

Where is life taking you today?  Are you forging ahead with your plan, cutting your own path, without consulting with the One who created you? Or are you following the path that God has designed for you, consulting with Him each day to stay within His plan for your life? 

Your Creator has great plans for you.  Won't you follow Him today?

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Supposedly today is the second coming of Christ.  The news is inundated with the predictions of a Christian broadcaster, a man who has previously predicted the beginning of the end of times in 1994. (Hmm... still here.  A reliable source??) I am confused as to how a Christian man can declare the coming of Christ on a specific date, despite the many scriptures in the Bible that tell us we will not know the day or hour. 

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:36-37

^"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."  Matthew 24:42-44

 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:40

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up."  2 Peter 3:10

The Word of God, the Holy Bible, is Truth.  It is divinely inspired. There are answers to every question, every problem, every situation we encounter in life within its pages. Don't allow yourself to be taken in by anything that is in opposition to God's Word. 

Christ is returning someday... that is absolute Truth.  So it is important that we are ready; that we have been about our Father's work.  In doing so, we don't have to wonder or worry about when He will return... for we are prepared and waiting. 

Some people referred to today's supposed second coming as "Doomsday".  For those who live for Christ, the rapture will be a joyous day. We will be caught up with those Christians who have gone before us - snatched out of harm's way - to be forever with the Lord.

"According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

For those who do not believe, who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior, the wrath of God will be poured out on those left behind, during a time so terrible that the Bible says, "In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them". Revelations 9:6

Where will you be when Christ returns? I pray that you will ready and waiting, steady, unmoveable, abounding in the work of the Lord.

Have a blessed Saturday!

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Have you ever had one of those days when you seem to be running in circles, yet getting nothing done?  In this hurried world we are living in, it is not unusual to find yourself thinking about a million different things that you need to do, to the point where it can be overwhelming.  On those days I find that, just as I get into one task, my mind drifts to something else that I had on my "to-do" list for that day.  And off I go to take care of that, leaving the previous task incomplete.

I have always been my biggest distraction.  It is usually not the external things in life that get me off-track, it is my own internal conversation.  I get in my own way...

Do you ever feel like that?  Do you ever just want to turn off your mind and put it away for a few minutes?  Then do it... turn it off and tune in to God instead.  Close your eyes, let go of the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in and out of your head, and let God fill your mind with His peace and His words.  Those few minutes will help you re-focus and re-charge, and you will be surprised how much more you will get done. 

Remember, when you take time to focus on God and His promises, He will restore your perspective and give you the energy to meet the demands of your day. 

Wishing you a blessed and productive day!!

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During a discussion several days ago, we were talking about Romans 12, the phrase "and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind".  I have thought about that a lot lately.  It is so easy to allow ourselves to be taken in by the world - to think that we must "be this" and "do that" and "have these"- to buy in to the idea that we can act and say and watch and do anything we want, because the world tells us it is okay - to make excuses when we spend our time doing "worldly" things instead of spending it on things that help us to grow and mature spiritually.  We eagerly spend our time on feeding our stomachs, our bank accounts, our egos, but not our souls.    

I pray for the renewing of my mind; that I will not be stuck in the habits and complacencies of my past, but will allow the Holy Spirit to lead my thoughts and my actions.  It is difficult... so many days I find myself wanting to fall into the same old bad habits, and to rely on what is familiar to me, what is easy, even when I know that it is not helpful to me as a maturing Christian.  I do realize that I am very different from the person I once was - by the grace of God.  But I continue on a journey of renewal, a journey of becoming the person God created me to be.  I am not there yet... there are obstacles that continue to rise up and get in the way.  But I am striving ahead, steady and trusting in God's mercy and His wisdom, and living in the present moments of the journey.

Where are you on that journey?  Are you just beginning to think about it, or are you well on your way?  Are you willing to be transformed, to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God?  Are you willing to use your gifts according to your faith?  Are you ready to love and live with Christ as your example?  I encourage you to read Romans 12, and then read it again.   And then live as Christ lived...

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Easter Sunday... what an incredible day!  Today God's promise was fulfilled, that we might have the opportunity for eternal life with Him.  Through the crucifixion and resurrection of his Son, we can now have a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven.  Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

For the parents of young ones, I know this is a day of fun, as the children open their Easter baskets and hunt for colorful Easter eggs.  The sights, smells, and colors of Easter are a reminder of spring, and something we all look forward to.  But let's make sure our children know the real meaning of this holiday; the wonderful and incredible gift we were given on this day, the gift of Life.  This is why we celebrate today.

Wishing you the happiest of days, and praying that you will be blessed on this Easter Sunday.

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"I want it all... I want it all... I want it all... and I want it now."  I have heard that commercial over and over on television lately, a commercial for a furniture store.  Every time I hear it, I equate it with many of the problems we see in our society now.  We are a culture that wants it all, and wants it now.  We want more stuff, more money, more attention, more recognition, more power, and we want it all immediately.  When growing up, I was taught that you had to work to get the things you wanted, that priviledges and awards had to be earned through hard work, dedication, and persistence.  So many people today seem to live under the misconception of "entitlement" - that, whether they work for it or not, whether they deserve it or not, they have the right to get whatever they feel they need, simply because they are living.  And many have no problem doing as little as possible or being less than honest as they claim those "entitlements".  I don't understand that way of thinking...

I am so thankful my parents taught me the importance of working hard and the satisfaction that comes with knowing I have done a good job and have earned my way.  I am thankful that I have learned to appreciate the things I have and to recognize the blessings in my life.  Am I entitled to get whatever I want?  No.  Am I deserving of the blessings I have received?  No. What I am is a sinner who has been saved by the grace of God. 

You want it all?  Then, right now, give your life to Christ.  He is all you will ever need.

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I have a question... how many of you know someone who is having trouble paying their rent, or house payment... who is struggling to stay in their home and not be evicted... who has had their electricity turned off because they can't pay their utility bill... who have become homeless?  It seems like there are more and more people fighting to keep a roof over their family 's head, struggling to make it through a tough month, frightened that their children will be out on the street.  Every day I hear from people needing help and every day I have to turn them away without an answer.  There are organizations in our town to help provide food, clothing, even utility assistance, but none that help with temporary rental or housing needs. Even the one organization that provides temporary shelter is full to overflowing...

If you know of any organizations or individuals who assist with people who are temporarily struggling to make their rent or house payment, could you please let me know?  Or perhaps you know someone who would be willing to donate enough funds to start an organization to assist with temporary financial housing needs for our Richmond citizens.  This is weighing heavy on my heart... I would appreciate your prayers that this need will be met.  I have heard too many stories of families being evicted or facing the threat of eviction.  Do you know someone you can help?  

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