Return

Hello all! Or the three of you that check in on a regular basis, haha.  I am not normally given to post much personal chit-chat here, but to bridge the gap and get back to posting, I will catch you up a bit.

My apologies for this month-long absence, there was much going on, primarily some health problems for my best friend which included two hospital stays.

Right now, I am preparing to teach my first official class on Scripture memorization next Monday at my church. Given that Sunday is Pentecost, I am asking for a fresh anointing of the Spirit on this ministry. In this season it is strongly on my heart to spread the important message of imprinting God’s Word in your heart and mind. We shall see what God does.

So I hope to return to regular posting about various Bible study topics soon. For now, if you would like to listen to my radio interview that aired last month, click here visit the post on my book blog site.

Grace and peace to you

Worth Fighting For

Life used to be slower. I remember a time when things were different.

A time when people asked questions such as, “What do you want to do tonight?” because they did not already have plans.

A time when if you decided to organize something the next day or that weekend, people were available and committed on the spot. And bonus – they even showed up.

A time when the possibility of being bored was a much bigger concern than desperately trying to run through an endless list of tasks and appointments while trying to offend the least amount of people, or at least only offending the people whose backlash would cause only minimal damage.

Those days seem to be long gone. Welcome to the fast lane.

There are so many things vying for our time and attention these days. Jobs, family, pets, events, kid’s programs, church functions, study groups, caring for others, household chores, and on and on. When our schedules become overcrowded, something must suffer.  The laundry does not get done, the kids don’t get help with homework, the dog does not get walked, or we fall behind at work. Not to mention there is no time left for “me.” Worse yet, there is no time left for God.

I believe one of the statements that most grieves the heart of God is, “I just don’t have time to sit with my Bible.“

And it is not just external influences. One of the enemy’s main goals is to distract us, especially from connecting with God. And sometimes the problem is us. I know my own mind loves to scatter thoughts like leaves in the wind, so that even when I make time to be alone with God, it can be excruciatingly hard to focus.

Yet the fact is that we will never accomplish what God wants us to do unless we meet with Him on a regular basis. And we will not be able to face what awaits us today unless we get filled to the measure with Jesus first. He is Life; how can we do life without Him?

It can be a struggle to make time to meet with God, but that is a fight worth having. He is our help, our guide, our strength, and our very great reward. When something matters, you make time for it. Our relationship with God is worth fighting for.

Thy Neighbors

This morning I was walking & working on my verses when I saw an older man from the next street over in a yard that wasn’t his, which got my attention. He was limping, which made me wonder if he needed help.

I stopped and quickly figured out the issue when I saw a white cat in the next garage, and knew it didn’t belong there.

I asked the man if was looking for a white cat, and indeed he was. Working together, we corralled the escaped kitty and he was able to grab her.

This is a small thing, but to that man, it was important. He has just adopted the cat a few weeks ago, and since we have had predators in the area recently, it is possible that if that cat was left out wandering at night, it might become a meal for a fox or coyote.

To me this is the essence of church. Knowing enough about your neighbors to know when something is out of sorts, and caring enough to stop, ask, and help if needed.

Mission trips to exotic locations seem glamourous or noble, but there is plenty to be done in our own neighborhoods. If we just pay attention to the people right around us and do the little things, we can make someone’s day a bit brighter, and all those little things will add up to make the world a better place.

Sunday Is Coming

Like many people in the northern half of the United States, I have been longing for the warmer temperatures of spring. This was certainly not the worst winter we have had in Syracuse, but it has definitely been lingering longer than some of us would like.

For weeks now, my friend and I have been hoping for warmer weather so we can get outside. Since we do not engage in winter activities such as skiing, we end up  cooped up inside for months on end while the temperatures remain below freezing and the snow piles up. In addition, the days are quite short and winters are mostly cloudy, so the average amount of sunshine is only 2 hours a day through the heart of the winter. All this can lead to a rather dreary scanario and increased rates of depression.

So when spring weather finally comes around, it is wonderful. The snow melts, open windows bring fresh air into the house, and the sun warms everything and everyone up. A good spring rain washes away the salt and filth of winter. Nature responds also – the grass greens up, trees start to bud their leaves, flowers poke through the thawing ground, and the birds return, singing beautiful songs. The warm breeze is like a breath of new life.

This year, many of us have been anxiously watching the weather forecasts, hoping to see temperatures climb. I was amused to see that the first day above 50 is supposed to happen on Easter Sunday.

How perfect.

As we wait and hope for nice weather, how much more do we put our hope in the promise of the resurrection?

Friday is the day we remember Jesus’ death. It was more excruciating that any of us can possibly imagine. Friday was painful, traumatic, and devastating. Are you having a day, or maybe a season, like that? Have you lost a job, suffered from an injury or ailment, endured a frustrating circumstance, or lost a loved one?

But on the third day He rose.

Jesus died to pay our sin debt and reconcile us back to God. Not only does accepting this free gift of grace guarantee your place in heaven, but when God places His Holy Spirit in you, He will remain with you always, as your constant compainion, guide, strength, and true love. You never have to walk through any trial alone, and nothing we go through in this life has to be in vain. One day Jesus will return, and in the new life, there will be no more crying, no more tears, and no more pain. Ever. Just pure, penetrating, saturating, agape love from the One who is love and life. Better than we can ever imagine.

If we could truly grasp how glorious that day will be, it would be easier to endure the challenges today.

Life on planet earth is hard, but no matter  how trying your Friday is, remember -

Sunday is coming.

Launch Party Giveaway – Next Door!

Hello friends!

If you have been hanging around for any length of time, you have heard about my book. Well, now is your chance to get one! I am giving away a copy of my book over on ImprintTheWord. Please check it out, and then come back tomorrow for a new post here. Blessings!