Mid-Week Message - The Peasant and the Visitor

"So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son."  John 1:14 (NLT)

He was the poorest of the poor.  His crudely built shack was at the foot of the mountain upon which sat the King's castle.  The peasant hated the King because he knew that the King could end the hardships that he experienced every day, if only he desired to do so.  

Day by day, the poor man toiled in a garden that yielded only the weakest of crops, walked over a mile to collect water from the stream that was almost running dry and sat in loneliness as he looked up the mountain with animosity.  

One day there was a knock at the peasant's door.  This had never happened, not even once.  He opened it to find a man in rags.  The visitor was dirty, hungry and in need of a place to lay his head.  Cautiously, the peasant let him in.  He shared his meager rations and made another trip to the stream so that he could serve cool water.  At night, he allowed the visitor to sleep on the only straw bed in the shack, listening as the only person he had ever shared his space with drew breath.  

When the sun rose the next morning, the two men worked in the garden together and talked.  The peasant told the visitor all about the King on the mountain and how much he despised him for allowing him to live in such poverty.  

"If only he would come down from his lofty throne and experience this life for himself, then surely he would help me," the peasant moaned.  

At this, the visitor turned and started walking toward the mountain.  Confused, the peasant asked him where he was going and urged him to stop because the King might be angry if his castle was approached.  The visitor continued to climb and called to the peasant to follow him.  Side by side they trudged upwards until finally they were facing the lowered drawbridge.  

As the visitor entered the castle, the peasant tentatively followed.  His eyes grew wide as he beheld the opulent contents.  The floors were pure gold.  The walls were covered with beautiful tapestries woven with threads that appeared to be made of every gem he had ever heard about.  As he marveled at his surroundings he became aware that he was alone.  The visitor had vanished and he was fearful that he would be found where he should not be.  

Silently and with trepidation, he searched for his friend.  Finally he came to a jeweled door.  He opened it just enough to peek through.  The light from inside was almost blinding but he thought he heard a familiar voice so he tiptoed in.  As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he could just make out a person sitting on a throne at the far end of the enormous room and he realized in terror that he was in the king's chamber.  

"Come closer," said the voice.  Shaking, the peasant inched forward and fell on his face in fear before the throne.  

"There is no need to fear me,"  said the voice as the peasant felt a hand upon his shoulder.  As he cautiously lifted his head, the peasant gazed upon the face of his visitor friend who was no longer in rags, but in a kingly robe, and he as smiling.  

"I do not understand," said the peasant.  "Surely I am seeing things."

"Your eyes do not deceive you," spoke the king.  "I am the same person that knocked upon your door.  I became as you were in order to win your faith and bring you here to live with me forever."  

This simple story is a reminder of how dear we are to our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  He loved us so much that he left Heaven and became human in order to live among us and, ultimately, to sacrifice Himself so that we can live with Him in Heaven forever.  Just as the peasant, we toil and struggle and wonder why life has to be so difficult.  Jesus came to give us hope and to make sure we know that we are not alone.  His love, his grace, will see us through the trials of this life if we turn to Him.  As the visitor knocked upon the peasant's door, so the Son knocks upon our hearts.  All we have to do is open them and let Him in.  

I pray for each person reading this that your heart will be open and you will know the joy of His glorious presence.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - A Worthy Struggle

"I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)  

I appreciate the life that Paul led and the letters that he left behind so that we could know how dear the Lord was to him and how everything he did was done with Heaven in mind.  Of course we know the story that previous to meeting Jesus, Paul, or rather Saul, was a persecutor of Christians.  But when he met the Savior, everything changed.  His life was spent spreading the Good News, for which he endured unspeakable suffering.  But he didn't give up and he found joy in the struggles he encountered because he knew that there was a reward awaiting him that would be greater than he could imagine.  

I wonder how many of us are able to keep that in mind as we encounter the difficulties of daily life.  I have many friends in full-time Christian service and it isn't an easy life.  Moreover, I hear and read stories of missionaries in foreign lands who endure great hardship, including the threat of torture and even death.  They chose to leave behind the conveniences and comfort of their lives here in order to carry Christ's love to those who haven't had the chance to hear that there is a Redeemer who laid down His own life so that we on earth could have an everlasting future with Him.  

Several times a day I utter the words, "I'm tired."  And I am.  My body doesn't work the way it used to and just going through whatever the day requires of me is tedious at best.  Some days, my pain level makes me want to sleep the day away because when I am asleep is the only time that I am truly pain free.  Yet, if I give in to that desire then I am unable to focus on what is more important.  If I am sleeping, I am not praying for the many on my prayer list.  If I am sleeping then I am not reaching out to others that I know need encouragement.  And I am reminded that my life is not my own, but belongs to the One who paid an enormous price to redeem it and therefore deserves for it to be used for His glory.  

Paul set an example for each of us to follow.  No matter what he encountered, whether it be shipwrecks, beatings, illnesses, imprisonment or attempts on his life, he kept praising the Lord and sharing His message with everyone that was around him.  He didn't give in to pain or let exhaustion cease his efforts.  He knew that his time on this planet was temporary and that he had a limited amount of time to accomplish as much as he could for Jesus.  He seized every moment handed to him to make an eternal difference.  I'm sure he had moments of discouragement, moments of saying, "I'm tired."  But then he put them aside and continued on what he knew to be the better path.  

We have a finite time upon this orb.  Our days are limited.  If we do not fill our days with Heavenly purpose, then we are missing the mark.  God has us planted us where we are for reasons we may not be aware of.  Our response should be to take hold of the resources and opportunities that come our way and use them for His glory.  We each have a mission field.  We just have to realize it, and, with our hands firmly in His, go forth and boldly represent Him.  If we need a guide to show us how to take each step then we can read about Paul and, as he did, press forward toward the goal to win the prize that is waiting for us when we are called home.  It will be worth any struggle we encounter, no matter how tired we may get.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Because of Friday

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."  Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)  

He didn't have to do any of it.  He didn't have to allow Himself to be arrested, but He did.  He didn't have to let them scourge Him.  He didn't have to let them humiliate Him. He certainly could have exercised His power to stop it.  He didn't have to accept a crown of thorns being placed on His head or let anyone spit on Him, yet, He did.  At any time He could have stopped His own crucifixion.  He could have avoided having spikes driven through His flesh, being raised up on that cross, having His clothing stripped away.  After all, He was so much more than a mere man.  He was God in the flesh.  He could have called a legion of angels to rescue Him, or just come down from the cross on His own and struck the soldiers dead.  

Instead, He allowed all of it.  Everything that happened that horrible Friday took place with His permission.  Have you ever thought of that?  He could have said "no" to carrying His own cross.  He could have said "no more" at any time during that dark day.  We know the human part of Him was reluctant to go through with it because He prayed in the garden that the Father would "remove this cup from me."  And it wasn't simply a quick prayer.  It was heart-wrenching.  

So why didn't He say no to Friday?  The answer is this: Without Friday, there would have been no Sunday.  His love for us is so great that He was willing to endure the storm of Friday so that we could have the peace that Sunday brought.  The sacrifice was made.  Death has been defeated.  Our forgiveness and eternal life have been secured.  

Each year as Easter approaches, in my mind I hear the hammer pounding the nails.  What a horrific sound that must have been.  Precious Jesus, our Savior, laid out on the cross and having to endure such pain!  What agony He must have gone through as they raised up that cross and his body fought gravity as He struggled to keep Himself in a position where He would be able to breathe.  All because of the love He has for each of us.  Nails didn't keep Him on the wood.  Love did.  

I have a hard time understanding love that is that deep and pure.  Maybe you do too.  That He chose the nails rather than to allow us to perish is mind boggling. But that is what took place.  You and I were more important to Him than anything He experienced that awful day.  

As we observe Good Friday, let's remember that He was willing to go through the agony for our sake.  And on Easter Sunday, as we rejoice in His resurrection, and each day that we walk in the freedom that His actions provided us, can we each take at least a moment to ask ourselves what we are willing to do for Him?

Mid-Week Message - Reacting in Kindness

"Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it."  1 Peter 3:9 (TLB)

The teenage years are hard.  So many changes are occurring physically and mentally that young people have a difficult time knowing how to handle life day to day.  This is a time when they are trying to fit in, to be accepted by those around them.  They find approval this way and base their self-esteem upon it.  When my daughter was this age she was attending a private Christian school and unfortunately found herself on the receiving end of unkind comments and actions from many of the other girls.  She was bullied.  As her mother, I found it incredibly disturbing because I was bullied at that age as well so I knew the feelings she was experiencing.  

When we know that our children are being mistreated by their peers, we want to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.  We often tell them to ignore the mistreatment, however, there just isn't any way for them to close their ears to the ridicule they are hearing or their eyes to looks they receive. What they need to know is that there is always a place where they can find absolute love and will be openly welcomed and accepted for who they are.  They need to know of the all-encompassing love of the Lord Jesus and have a relationship with Him so that they always have someone nearby to turn to.  

It is natural for us to want to return meanness for meanness.  To come up with a biting retort when someone speaks ugly words to us.  Our human side desires to inflict pain on those who have inflicted pain on us.  However, scripture clearly teaches that we need to pray for our enemies and to be kind to those around us.   Jesus experienced ridicule.  He experienced physical, mental and emotional violence.  He could have slain his abusers with just a thought, after all He was God in the flesh.  But He returned His attacks with forgiveness, kindness and love.  I can only imagine that the human side of Him must have made every attempt to argue back, yet He did not give in to human impulses.  

We are bombarded daily with opportunities to either show love or disdain.  Disgruntled people will often take their frustrations out on the first person they see.  Sometimes that is you or me.  Life is stressful and the choices made to handle that stress aren't always positive.  Road rage is rampant here in the Atlanta area, as I am sure it is wherever you are as well.  Sometimes we forget that the person on the receiving end of our outbursts also has feelings and is going through difficulties of their own.  We can't control other people, but we can control ourselves.  By following Christ's example we can react in kindness rather than anger.  In this way we honor Him and bless others.  Just think what would happen if, one by one, people decided to react with love rather than rage.  

Our children learn to handle life by observing how those around them handle life.  Parents can have a tremendous influence for good if the example they set for their offspring is one of godly reactions.  If we can have them in the habit of forgiving and being kind before they hit the turbulent teens, then maybe it will not be quite as traumatic for them.  In that way, they can pass on the example and touch the hearts of others their age.  Great change happens one person at a time.  This week, let's determine to be that one person.  God bless you.

Mid-Week Message - The Everlasting Love of Our Father

"Long ago the Lord said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.  With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'"  Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)  

I had this habit as a little one of getting in trouble first thing in the morning.  I would get out of my bed, walk into the living room or kitchen and straight into a fight with my brother or sassing my mother.  One way or the other, I found a way to start my day off with these words, "Just wait until  your Daddy gets home."  Those dreaded words set the tone of my days on a fairly regular basis for a span of my young years.  My mother knew that I loved my father beyond measure and the worst punishment I could have was the knowledge that I would disappoint him.  

Fast forward to my teen years.  After church one evening, the youth group was going to the local A&W restaurant.  Since I had driven my mother's car that evening, I offered to be one of the drivers.  As I was making a left hand turn into the parking lot, one of my passengers said, "A motorcycle!" right before I heard it hit the car.  The hardest part of the accident for me was calling my dad and telling him about it.  By the grace of God, no one was hurt.  But I had wrecked my mom's car.  When my parents arrived at the scene I saw that my dad's left cheek was twitching, which was a tell-tale sign that he was angry.  My heart was crushed.  

Because I derived my picture of God from my relationship with my earthly father, I spent much of my adult life worrying that I would disappoint Him just like I worried about disappointing my dad.  When I struggled with sin in my life I wondered how long the Lord would continue to love me.  I was fearful that at some point He would give up on me.  I have heard other people wonder how He could possibly continue to love them when they are unsuccessful at conquering the challenges life presents.  

What I have learned through the years, as my relationship with Him has grown, is that His love has no end.  God is not going to turn His back on us.  Just as the prodigal son's father ran to greet him, so the Lord is waiting for us to return to Him when we stray.  Sin is a fact of our lives.  We have an enemy that is unwilling to cease tempting us with earthly pleasures that seek to pull us out from under the umbrella of God's covering.  However, provision was made over two thousand years ago for the remission of our sins.  It is the blood of Christ that washes us clean and allows us to stand before the Father and receive His acceptance and to be confident in His love for us.  

I know so many people who are dealing with sin in its various forms.  Aren't we all in some way or another?  What I want to reassure everyone of is that we are not at risk of losing the love of our heavenly Father, no matter how difficult the road we walk might be.  He is right there with each of us.  Every step.  Every struggle.  Every tear.  His love for us never wavers.  There is nothing we can do to stop our Creator from loving us.  All we have to do is to turn to Him and ask Him for his help and confess that we need Him.  When we ask for His forgiveness, scripture says He will grant it.  May we all walk in His love and peace this week. 

Mid-Week Message - A Day of Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever."  Psalm 107:1 (NLT)

The year was 1621.  Those who had made the pilgrimage to what is now the United States of America, had a great feast that lasted three days.  It was a celebration of thanksgiving to the Lord for His provision and protection which followed a time of extreme hardship in which many had died.  None of these precious souls had envisioned the difficulties they would face before they set sail and I often wonder how those who survived were able to show such gratitude after all they endured. 

The holiday of Thanksgiving that we observe each year has become a day that is engulfed in activity that causes tensions to run high.  Rather than a day of praise and gratitude, it is spent exhausting ourselves attempting to fulfill expectations of family and guests.  After the food has been served and the kitchen has been cleaned, men gather around the television and women rush out to shop in stores that now open early to capitalize on Christmas dollars yet to be spent.  

Before we know it, midnight has come and the day intended for giving thanks has ended for another year.  Recipes made once a year are filed away and all thoughts turn to the next big day of festivities.  In all of the hustle and bustle, how much time was actually given to the Lord in appreciation for His great love and care?  

Aside from the necessary prayer at the table tomorrow, will we spend any private time with Him reflecting back on how He has sustained us this year?  Will our hearts be consumed with gratitude or will our focus be on the troubles of the moment?  Whatever our struggles are today will likely still be struggles tomorrow and will be vying for our attention.  Will we choose Him over worry and chaos? 

We are the Lord's first priority.   He is always present.  Always listening.  Always within our reach.  We may not be able to see Him physically with our eyes, but He is always active in our lives.  Every blessing that we receive comes directly from His hands.  He has promised to take care of our needs and to guide us through each step we need to take.  No matter what arises in our lives, His power is greater, His love all-encompassing and He is worthy of our praise.  

This year has been full of ups and downs, some of them have knocked me off my feet, which I am sure you have experienced as well.  However, the one thing we have always been able to count on is that we have a Father that can be depended upon to pick us up and dust us off and help us take the next step, no matter how hard that step might be.  Let's spend time with Him tomorrow letting Him know how much we love and appreciate Him.  Without Him, there would be nothing to celebrate.  

Have a blessed Thanksgiving. 

Mid-Week Message - Thoughts About Thanksgiving

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his.  We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation."  Psalm 100 (NLT)

Another year has passed and we are one week away from this special day we refer to as "Thanksgiving." It is the day we remember the group of people who traveled here on a ship called the Mayflower.  It was an incredibly hard voyage with even harder times before them as they worked to make this land their new home.  Had it not been for the blessing of an alliance with a group of indigenous people they would likely have returned home, or died. However, the Lord had a plan for their protection and provision and they celebrated and gave thanks.

Too often this story is forgotten as we gather around our own tables on this one day each year designated for gratitude.  Football games, shopping and outdoing one another with our recipes has dwarfed the meaning of the day.  What used to be a time for everyone to share with their families has become a "Black Friday" prequel.  Meals are planned around what time the stores open so that shoppers can hurry to get a deal on certain electronics or get their hands on the "toy of the year." Rather than concentrating on how our lives have been blessed during the year, we watch the news to see how many fights have broken out in the shopping centers.  

When I was in the fifth grade we learned Psalm 100 by heart.  That was when scripture had not been banned from the public school classroom.  And while it wasn't taught as a spiritual lesson, it was still able to seep into our hearts and minds and remind us, even as children, that the Lord is good and worthy of our praise and that we need to tell Him "thank you."  The Message Bible puts it this way when speaking of entering into His presence, "Enter with the password: 'Thank you.'"  I wonder how different our relationship with our Father in Heaven would be if each time we spoke to Him, the first words from our lips were "Thank you."  

Many families have had a difficult year.  But even though we may have shed more than our fair share of tears, we can still be thankful that we are here to share together.  The trials we have gone through, and continue to endure, though hard, remind us that the Lord truly is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.  Without His presence and tender loving care, we would not have made it this far.  Someway, somehow, no matter how dark the days may get, His light shines brightly and is our reassurance.  

On Thursday when we all meet around our respective tables, let's truly examine the blessings of the year and sincerely give thanks for all that we have.  James 1:17 reminds us that whatever is good and perfect is a gift from above.  The love we have around us, the smiles, food, the roof over our heads, the clothing on our backs, indeed our very existence comes from the One who loves us with an everlasting love.  We can never have enough gratitude for all He does for us, but we can start with a small, "Thank you, Father."

Mid-Week Message - Trusting That He Hears

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

I'm sure we can all remember asking one of our parents for something when we were children.  I don't know how it was in your family, but the automatic answer in my house never seemed to be "yes." Usually the answer was, "We'll see", or "I'll think about it," or maybe even "Go ask your father."  Whatever the answer was I felt the need to explain all my reasons for why I needed whatever it was I was asking for.  Of course, I was attempting to convince my parents that they needed to agree with me and decide in my favor.  Sometimes I was successful but quite often the final answer was "no."  

It was very difficult to understand how they could answer negatively when I was so clear in laying out my thoughts and desires.  What I didn't understand at the time was that they knew more than I did and therefore knew if my requests were frivolous or could pose hazards or risks.  Now that I am an adult and also a parent, I am aware that there were probably many times they wished to give me what I wanted but couldn't for some reason that was beyond their control.  Age has given me greater understanding and perspective.  

That being said, I have to confess that I often approach God in prayer the same way I used to approach my parents with a request.  It is something that He has shown me that I am not very proud of.  I have had to learn that it isn't my job to convince the Lord of anything.  Since He is all-knowing, He sees my needs and desires before I do along with everything else in my life.  He knows what is ultimately good for me and what is not and He has perfect timing for the blessings He sends my way.

Some years have been dreadfully hard for my family.  So many things collided that caused us to wonder how we would make it through.  I spent hours before the Lord crying out, asking Him for help, reminding Him of His promises and telling Him what we were going through and what we were feeling.  So many times I forgot about His sovereignty as I begged Him to just listen to our needs.  I failed to recognize that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  I let my heart dictate my words and overpower the knowledge that His timing is always perfect and that He would never fail to take care of His children.  In His great love though, He soothed my soul and assured me that He knew.

One night, after a particularly rough time and as I was drying my eyes after telling Him how afraid I was and asking Him if he was watching and knew what we were going through, I turned the radio on to a Christian station.  I came in right as a song was coming on.  It was "Fear Is A Liar" by Zach Williams.  Then the song right after it was "He Knows" by Jeremy Camp.  I cannot tell you how it ministered to me to know that those songs at that time were not a coincidence.  They were reassurance from above.  After seeing how He brought us through those difficult times I can tell you that I never needed to be afraid or worry that the Father didn't understand our plight as He answered those petitions and turned things around for our family.  Just at the right time.  

Brothers and sisters, our Creator is never negligent.  He is intimately involved in our lives and aware of every joy and heartache we experience.  Though many times have been trying, they would have been much less so if I had remembered that rather than listening to the lies of the enemy and allowing myself to be overcome with fear.  He has always seen me through whatever I have faced and I should have known He would do so again.  His love never falters and He will always be present no matter what we are experiencing.  We have only to trust that His Word is true and look for Him.  

As I thank Him for His extended hand to me and my family, I also lift each of you up and ask for His blessings for you as well.  Life is full of unknowns, so let's hold on to the One who never changes, who always understands and will never leave us to do battle on our own.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Mid-Week Message - Concentrating on Wisdom

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Each year the Lord gives me a word or a phrase to concentrate on.  One year, the word was "trust."  Of course I never know at the time why He gives me what He does.  That year I found out why fairly quickly though.  My husband had gotten ill with what we thought was a simple sinus infection at the end of December.  By February, however, he was in surgery and fighting for his life.  That illness brought about a series of changes and difficulties for our family and "trust" became the most important word in my life.  The next year, as I continued to lean upon trusting Him, He gave me the word "wisdom."  

I have always admired Solomon for asking the Lord for wisdom when he was told he could ask for anything, and I am so glad that his story is included in scripture.  I wonder how many of us would have chosen as well if given the same option.  While I sincerely hope that I would put similar thought into such an offer, I fear that I would reach for something more immediately gratifying.  Actually, I would probably ask for the needs of my family members to be met because that is more concerning to me than anything that I desire personally. 

There are lessons about being wise all around us.  We have only to open our eyes and ears to find them.  Even the youngest among us are exposed to opportunities to see the difference between wisdom and foolishness.  The story of The Three Little Pigs has been on my mind since I started pondering this subject.  We all know that there were three pigs who needed to build houses for themselves.  The first one was in a hurry to get it done so he could return to having fun so he put together the fastest thing he could think of which was a house of straw.  The second pig put a little more thought into his and chose sticks to build his home out of.  Neither of these two considered the future dangers that their choices could encounter. Just as the man who built his house upon the sand, once the high winds came, the houses fell.  But the third little pig took his time to plan for unforeseen occurrences.  I'm sure he looked at all his options before he made his choice and he chose wisely.  His house of bricks stood up to everything the "big bad wolf" threw at it because it was sturdy and well built just like the house built on the rock.  

The "rock" represents our faith.  When we entrust the Father with our cares and turn to Him with our needs, concerns and fears, we are exercising wisdom.  We are seeking His counsel, and asking for His direction.  Wisdom comes from seeing from the standpoint of the mind of God.  When we ask Him to show us how He sees our lives and circumstances, we are asking Him to make us wise.  We begin to move beyond worldly understanding and lean more upon Him to teach us to see through spiritual eyes and hear through spiritual ears.  The more we do that, the closer we draw near to Him and the more our hearts and minds are transformed.  Being one with Him will be our greatest desire.  

As I continue to ask for His wisdom I hope you all will come along and that we can embark upon this adventure together.  Keep your eyes and ears open for other examples, such as the simple fairy tale I spoke of.  Ask God to reveal Himself through unexpected sources.  He will.  You just have to be watching.  God bless you.

Mid-Week Message - Guilt and Forgiveness

"Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!"  Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

In 1970 a movie was released that starred Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal.  The title was "Love Story."  This wildly popular movie contained a line that even now is occasionally quoted, "Love means never having to say you're sorry."  Audiences everywhere shed tears over this tragic tale and that line became the subject of much conversation in the religious circles.

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone that wrongs him, Jesus' answer of "seventy times seven" was a way of saying that there was no limit.  When someone causes us pain or harm and comes to seek forgiveness, we should grant it.  When we approach the Lord with a repentant heart and ask Him to forgive us, scripture assures us that He does just that. In fact, it says that our sins are cast as far as the east is from the west which means they are discarded and never remembered again.  

Recently I was recounting to my husband an incident that occurred many years ago with some former employers.  I continue to dream of them and each time I do I have the impulse to contact them to apologize.  I didn't actually do anything wrong meaning I didn't break any laws or do anything that would violate my conscience.  But there was a misunderstanding and some things were said that let me know that they were hurt.  Here's the quandary though, I did apologize and received their forgiveness.  Why then do I continue to feel that I need to set this right?

We have an adversary who draws great satisfaction from our feelings of condemnation.  If we feel guilty then our focus is on the guilt rather than on the grace we are given from others, or more importantly, from our Father.  Paul tells us in Romans 8:1, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."  Once we express our repentance and forgiveness is granted, we no longer have to carry the burden of the event.  It cannot make anything better and only creates a separation between us and the other person or the Lord.  It is His intention that we live in freedom through the mercy and grace provided to us through the sacrifice of Jesus.  

When we struggle with feeling that we need to continually atone for something we did then we have to ask ourselves why.  The next step is to ask the Lord for His help in accepting grace then lay the offense and our feelings about it at the foot of the cross.  Once we give it to Him, it needs to stay there.  I pray that each of us has a week free of needless guilt.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - About Dreams

"Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that." James 4:13-15 (AMP)

Were you a daydreamer?  I was.  Not excessively so but I had my moments.  I daydreamed about the same things I suppose most young girls do such as being the prettiest girl in school, having a handsome boyfriend, meeting my favorite music and television stars.  Mostly, I dreamed about what it would be like to be thin, because I wasn't.  There was a song by Janis Ian that came out when I was seventeen years old that was actually called, "At Seventeen."  It was spot on in describing what I went through.  Mainly though it reminded me that there were others that were dreaming of the same things I was and that I would make it through.  It gave me hope.

Many of us dream of what we may never have.  That's what makes them dreams, I guess.  Wealth, so that we can be free of debt and owing others.  Perfect relationships, because what we have isn't perfect.  Good health for ourselves or others we love that are suffering.  There isn't anything wrong with dreaming as long as we keep the dreams in perspective and remember that our lives have purpose.  That purpose is to glorify God and to seek His will in all we do.  

I have two major dreams.  One is to take an extended Alaskan cruise with my beloved. I want to have that time with him to see whales in the wild and icebergs up close.  The other is to travel to Scotland.  I have always wanted to go there but now I have a good friend there that I would love to visit with and deliver a hug to in person.  I don't know if I will ever do either.  However, should the Lord allow it then it will be so that I can spread His love and message and experience His love personally.  He always has a purpose.  

I have come to learn that nothing in life is worth anything unless Christ is in the middle of it.  Fulfilling a dream without Him would be empty and meaningless.  Life is brief and every moment needs to count.  I want all my moments to count for Him.  Had he given me all those things I thought I wanted when I was young then I would have missed out on so much because my relationship with Him needed to grow.  Every day is so much sweeter now that He is in control.  I wouldn't want anything apart from Him.  And sharing His love is an honor and a privilege no matter where I am.  If I never see Alaska or Scotland, my life won't suffer.  As long as I am where He wants me at any given time, then I am incredibly blessed.

This week, let's make a list of our dreams and the purposes behind them.  Are they purely for our own enjoyment and benefit, or are we considering our life purpose in Jesus?  How is He being included?  I pray for enlightenment for each of us as we tackle this challenge.  God bless you!  

Mid-Week Message - Not Perfect But Created Perfectly

 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 (NIV)

As most young people do, I daydreamed about having the perfect life.  Once I became an adult, I would find the perfect job then rent the perfect apartment.  I would find a perfect husband, settle down and have perfect children, live in a perfect neighborhood and spend the rest of my life in the perfect happily ever after.  There was one large detail that I failed to consider though.  I, myself, wasn't perfect.

I went to a wonderful college.  Not perfect, but it certainly met my needs as far as education goes.  I met great friends there.  They weren't perfect either, but I loved them and still keep in touch with many of them today.  When I lived in an apartment during my last year, the air conditioner had continual problems and the upstairs bathroom floor sank down in one place.  It wasn't perfect but I have very happy memories of my times with the two women that I shared it with.  My jobs weren't perfect either.  In fact, during a couple of them I threw up every night because of the nerves I had about returning the next day.  They were extremely stressful.  But, they did pay my bills.  I didn't marry until the age of 33.  My husband was handpicked by the Lord just for me, and while he isn't perfect, I couldn't love him more.  We have one child and although as her mother I tend to think she is perfect, I guess she isn't in reality.  

I have come to realize that we weren't created to be perfect.  However, we are created perfectly.  God knew just what He was doing when He gave us our bodies and personalities.  He knew we would have weaknesses and that we would make mistakes but He also used those "imperfections" to teach us about Himself and to show us our need for a Redeemer.  Had He created us as perfect beings, what need would we have for Him?  

None of us are perfect.  Not physically, mentally, emotionally or even spiritually.  However, we are being perfected through our relationship with Jesus and one day, when we live with Him in Heaven, we will be perfect.  And what better way to say "thank you" than to spend eternity praising our Creator and Perfector?

This week will bring many reminders of just how imperfect we are.  I pray that you will be encouraged in the knowledge that being imperfect does not mean that you were not created perfectly.  Praise the Lord!  He knows everything about us and loves us still.  God bless you!

Mid-Week Message - Pain

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9-10  (NIV)

One day in 2012, as I was stepping out of the car, I noticed my left leg was shaking as I straightened it.  There was no pain so I continued doing everything I needed to do. I didn't experience the same thing again so I forgot about it.  Then, a couple of days later, my lower leg began hurting when I was on it.  The pain came and went so, again, I really didn't worry about it.  As the days went by, the pain worsened until finally it was taking me over an hour to make it from my sofa to my bathroom and I was having to lean on a bar stool most of the way.  Finally, I called my doctor who recommended that I go to an urgent care clinic and have it x-rayed.  The x-ray was aimed at my knee and the physician concluded that my pain was from complications of my arthritis.  He gave me a prescription for pain medication and told me to go home and use a walker.  

Two days later, when I attempted to stand, the pain was so severe that I couldn't bear to put my foot on the floor.  Because there was no way for me to get in my car, we called an ambulance.  That day I spent twelve hours in the emergency room.  My husband had brought with us the copies of the x-rays from two days before so the presiding doctor did not do any tests of his own and after twelve hours sent me home with another prescription for pain medication and told me to use a walker.  

It was a struggle to get into the house but my husband finally got me situated for the night.  The next morning, he left to conduct worship services for the retirement community where we were ministering.  When I stood, the pain was indescribable and I couldn't take a step at all.  I called for my daughter for quite some time but she couldn't hear me.  Eventually, I passed out and woke up on my bathroom floor.  After some time, my daughter came to check on me and my husband came home, at which time I called for an ambulance again.  This time, a different physician ordered x-rays of my entire leg and found that my tibia was completely severed.  They figured that it had been broken for one and a half to two weeks.

I apologize for the long story, but we all have them, don't we?  We all have times in our lives where the pain we experience is beyond what we think we can bear.  Whether it be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, pain is a warning signal that something is wrong and needs to be tended to.  It serves another purpose as well, it drives us to the Great Physician and we cry out to Him for help.  

I chose today's verse because Paul went through more in his lifetime that I can even imagine withstanding.  He was ship-wrecked, beaten and imprisoned.  His very life hung in the balance as there were many who wanted to see him dead.  Yet, in all of his suffering, he continued to serve the Lord.  He never let his pain get in the way of his purpose, rather, he used his pain to teach those around him, and ultimately everyone who would ever pick up a Bible, that the grace of God is greater than anything this world might dish out and that when we rely on Christ during our times of weakness, His strength will carry us through.  

I have no way of knowing what you are going through at this moment.  Perhaps this is a painful time and you are wondering how you are going to make it through.  I know two things.  One is that everything passes in time.  But the other is that your Father in Heaven loves you beyond measure. He will supply you with the strength you need and by relying on Him and continuing to praise Him no matter what, He will be glorified and your joy will increase.  We were never meant to carry our burdens alone.  Look up and reach out.  He has a plan and you will be able to look back on this time and see how He was with you.  In all things, His grace is sufficient.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - God's Great Love

 "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him."  1 John 3:1 (NLT)

Last week I was reminded of how intimately involved in my life my heavenly Father is.  On Friday, I rose and prepared to meet a friend for coffee.  As I was making the drive into town, a deer crossed my path.  There are two creatures that I always look forward to seeing.  One is deer and the other is cardinals.  When I see them, I thank the Lord because I know that He knows they bless me and I assume they are little "I love yous" from Him.  When I arrived at our meeting place, I had a small mishap.  I walk with a cane and must have come across a slightly damp place on the floor.  The cane slipped and I fell.  I wasn't injured but I was instantly surrounded by people showering me with the love of God.  One lady in particular spoke blessings over me and stayed with me until the incident was over.  As we were leaving, an older gentleman opened the door for us and once again I found myself hearing of the depth of God's love.  As he spoke, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was there at that time because the Lord wished him to be.  I hugged him and thanked him and have been praying for him ever since.  Then, as I drove home, a cardinal crossed in front of my car.  I felt so overwhelmed because I knew that all that I had experienced that morning came directly from His throne room.  

I have learned so much about parenting through my relationship with the Lord.  It thrills me to see my daughter smile and to know that her heart is happy.  So it is in our relationship with our Father above.  I believe that as He was creating the world, He chose to create things that would bring his children pleasure.  There is so much beauty in nature.  Each season brings new reasons to marvel.  From individual snowflakes in the icy cold of winter, to the budding summer fruits, we are reminded of His artisanship.  Can you picture Him smiling as he formed each plant and animal as He thought of the joy they would bring to us?  That thought changes how I view what I see when I look out my window.  Trees, flowers, birds, clouds, lightning and the rest of His creations remind me of His nearness, His gentleness and His power.  

In 1975, a man named Kurt Kaiser took a phrase that he had heard someone say and wrote a beautiful song titled, "Oh, How He Loves You and Me."  I'm sure you have heard it.  If not, I encourage you to look it up and listen.  The words are simple, yet so profound.  It speaks of how much Holy God loves us.  He loves us as individuals, not just as a collective group.  He knows everything about us.  Psalm 139 speaks of how involved He was with us before we were even born.  It says, "You knit me together in my mother's womb."  Think about that.   He had His hand upon us as cell upon cell was formed.  He already knew us by name and loved us before the world even knew we existed.  

As we go through this week, let's spend some time pondering His presence and His desire for us to include Him in each and every moment.  Then, let's keep our eyes and ears open so that we don't miss any of the "I love you's" He sends our way.  Maybe the rose by the walkway just happened to grow there.  Or, maybe He knew it would make you smile when you saw it so He made sure it was where you couldn't miss it.  He loves you far more than enough to do that for you.  Oh, how He loves you and me!  

Mid-Week Message - He Will Rejoice Over You

"For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."  Zephaniah 3:17  (NLT)

They were born in New York City, the sons of Jewish immigrant parents.  In all, there were six of them.  One died when he was only a few months old.  You may have heard of this family.  The Marx Brothers got their start in Vaudeville and four of them went on to make some of the funniest classic movies you will ever see.  Though Chico, Harpo and Groucho were the most famous due to making the most movies, all of the brothers were extremely talented and also played at least one instrument.  

My favorite part of any Marx Brothers movie is the instrumental scene which features Harpo.    Though he was proficient in playing six instruments, he earned his nickname when he chose to specialize in playing the harp.  I am always fascinated by the look on his face as his hands work to form the right notes and the beautiful piece comes together.  I've seen that when I have observed other musicians, and even some artists as they create.  It is a look that I imagine the Lord has as He looks at His creation while He lovingly guides His children.  

We don't often think about God creating music.  I have heard many sermons likening Him to an artist.  Even I have used examples of our lives being tenderly and expertly woven together by His hands. But today's verse, this one verse in Zephaniah, brings us something new to consider.  Can you perceive of Him singing over you?  

When my daughter was born, I made up a lullaby for her.  I wanted her to have a song that was hers and hers alone.  I wanted it to be something that no one else would ever sing over their own little one.  I have no idea how many times that tune lilted through our home.  Sometimes, as she grew, she would ask me to sing it to her and I hope that meant that she considered it special because it was meant to be.  I do know that she remembers it still and she is twenty-nine years old now.  

Possibly, our Heavenly Father has a special song for each of us.  Though created in His image, we are all individuals with our own likes and dislikes, abilities and personalities.  I think each blessing from Him is a type of song written especially for the one receiving the blessing.  

This I know for sure, no greater love exists than His love for us.  No matter where we find ourselves, no matter what we are struggling with, no matter what we are going through at any given moment, that love is real and accessible.  We are seeing things in our country that most of us have never seen before and will hopefully never see again.  We don't know what will happen tomorrow, next month or next year.  But...we do know the One that is never caught by surprise.  He already knows how we make it through and all that He is asking from us is that we love Him and love one another. 

What song is He singing to you today?  Listen, maybe you will hear Him.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - God Heard

 "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:3-4  (NIV)

My family has always had dogs.  My mother told me stories of how her little Rat Terrier, named Tinker, would lay across her stomach while she was pregnant with me.  So, I guess it is natural for me to love them as much as I do.  The only times that I didn't have one near me were during college while I lived in the dorm, and when I was living on my own as a young single adult.  The college years were so full that I didn't really miss having a pet but when I was living alone I yearned for that companionship. 

One day, one my way home from work to my empty house, I saw a man on a motorcycle.  He had his dog riding with him.  The dog was wearing goggles and a bandanna so it definitely caught my attention.  As I looked, the empty feeling rose up and I said out loud, "Oh, Lord!  I want a dog."  Now, I promise you that when I turned into my driveway, there was nothing out of the usual.  However, when I opened my car door, there sat a beautiful golden Cocker Spaniel and he jumped up into my lap.  I was flabbergasted!  I had never seen him before so I didn't think he belonged to any of my adjacent neighbors.  I didn't know where he belonged.  When I went into the house, he followed.  After a little while, he whined at the door so I thought maybe someone was calling him and I let him out.  He walked around outside for awhile then came back and he stayed with me after that. 

Punkin was my gift from God.  He slept with me and went with me everywhere that I could take him.  He met me when I came home from work, took walks with me, and licked my tears when I cried.  I knew that my heavenly Father had heard my cry and answered out of love and the bond I had with that little bundle of fur was incredible. 

When I married my husband, which was another prayer answered, Punkin welcomed Lady, my husband's dachshund, and they got along beautifully.  When our daughter was born, Punkin checked on her continuously.  He would sleep under her crib at night and look in on her if she made any noise.  He was never jealous but loved her as much as he loved me.  The when she was about a year old, he began crying if we touched his mouth.  I took him to the vet and was told he had a massive infection, needed surgery and that he may not live through it. 

Babies are expensive.  They need diapers and formula and baby food.  I was not working outside the home and we simply did not have the money to be able to pay for surgery for him, nor would I have wanted him to pass away without me by his side.  The only option we felt we had at the time was to have him euthanized.  It broke my heart.  Even as I type this, tears are flowing.  I still dream of him and wake up feeling like I got a special present because I got to see him. 

I really don't think I was meant to have Punkin for a long amount of time.  I believe the Lord sent him as a friend and companion for as long as I truly needed him.  By the time I had to say goodbye, my life was full.  I had what I had asked for since I was a little girl.  I was a wife and a mother.  That was the true desire of my heart, and the Lord knew it and granted it. 

Don't ever think that your longings are too trivial for the One who loves you the most.  He sees and hears and loves you enough to know the perfect time to fulfill that desire or to send something better.  He knows everything about you, every thought that enters your mind and every pang of your heart.  I sometimes wonder if Punkin would have arrived that day if I hadn't uttered the words out loud.  I will never know, and that is just fine with me.  That day, today's verse became real in my life and I have watched as our Father has continued to show Himself faithful throughout the years. 

I pray that every one who reads this message this week will recall the times when He has fulfilled your desires and that you would recall the love you felt at that time.  It is always there, that love.  Oh, and if you are wondering if anyone ever looked for that wonderful little fur baby, here is what I later found out.  A woman that I eventually worked with saw his picture on my desk and said, "He looks just like the one that I dumped."  So you see, not only was my desire heard and answered, but so was Punkin's who just needed someone to love him.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Coming Through the Storms

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."  Jeremiah 32:17  

It rained last night.  It rained hard.  We were under threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes part of the time.  The weather report said there could be high winds and tree damage.  Gratefully, though everything is very soggy, we came through the storms just fine.  

As I was listening to the pouring rain, I was thinking about life.  We all have times of hardship, or storms if you will, that we encounter. Like rain, some storms we can anticipate, but others seem to pop up out of the blue.  Someone gets gravely ill.  A job is lost.  The economy takes a downturn. Relationships end.  A child struggles with addiction or rebellion.  A loved one passes away.  The list is endless. Everyone encounters something in life that is difficult to make it through.

How should the storms of life be dealt with?  In a perfect world, we would go straight to the cross and dump those issues at the base, trust the Lord to take care of them, recover our smiles and go on. In a perfect world.  But since there are no perfect people, we do not have a perfect world.  We fight our humanness as we struggle to gain or maintain control.  We do the best we can as feeble beings who were never intended to carry the weight of these burdens.  Then, eventually, hopefully, we remember that we have a Holy Advocate who has all power and can calm our storm just as he calmed the storm for His disciples.  His words were, "Peace!  Be still."  The storm stopped raging and calm was restored.

One evening while scrolling through a social media site, I saw these words, "Don't tell God how big your storm is.  Tell the storm how big your God is!"  No storm, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual is too difficult for our Lord.  Not depression.  Not divorce. Not money problems.  Not addiction.  Not the loss of a job, the rebellion of a child, illness or the death of a loved one.  Nothing is beyond His ability to turn darkness into light, sadness into joy, or emptiness into the abundant life that He promised.  Nothing! 

So, what do we do?  Pray!  Tell the Father how we are feeling.  He delights in His children confiding in Him.  When Jesus was in the garden before His crucifixion, He was honest with His Father.  He admitted how He was feeling and asked God to take what was coming away from Him if there was any other way to accomplish His purpose.  Surely, if Jesus can do that we can too.  God didn't remove the storm from Jesus, and He may or may not remove ours. But look at what is available to us as His children because of what Jesus went through.  This is our assurance that the Lord will use our storms for our good if we will allow Him to.  

Are you facing a storm today?  Turn to the only One who can calm it then hang on for whatever comes next and know that on the other side of the darkness is the great light of His goodness, grace and mercy.

Mid-Week Message - Give Thanks

 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever."  Psalm 107:1 (NLT)

The year was 1621.  Those who had made the pilgrimage to what is now the United States of America, had a great feast that lasted three days.  It was a celebration of thanksgiving to the Lord for His provision and protection which followed a time of extreme hardship in which many had died.  None of these precious souls had envisioned the difficulties they would face before they set sail and I often wonder how those who survived were able to show such gratitude after all they endured. 

The holiday of Thanksgiving that we observe each year has become a day that is engulfed in activity that causes tensions to run high.  Rather than a day of praise and gratitude, it is spent exhausting ourselves attempting to fulfill expectations of family and guests.  After the food has been served and the kitchen has been cleaned, men gather around the television and women rush out to shop in stores that now open early to capitalize on Christmas dollars yet to be spent.  

Before we know it, midnight as come and the day intended for giving thanks has ended for another year.  Recipes made once a year are filed away and all thoughts turn to the next big day of festivities.  In all of the hustle and bustle, how much time was actually given to the Lord in appreciation for His great love and care?  

Aside from the necessary prayer at the table tomorrow, will we spend any private time with Him reflecting back on how He has sustained us this year?  Will our hearts be consumed with gratitude or will our focus be on the troubles of the moment?  Whatever our struggles are today will likely still be struggles tomorrow and will be vying for our attention.  Will we choose Him over worry and chaos? 

We are the Lord's first priority.   He is always present.  Always listening.  Always within our reach.  We may not be able to see Him physically with our eyes, but He is always active in our lives.  Every blessing that we receive comes directly from His hands.  He has promised to take care of our needs and to guide us through each step we need to take.  No matter what arises in our lives, His power is greater, His love all-encompassing and He is worthy of our praise.  

This year has been full of ups and downs, some of them have knocked me off my feet, which I am sure you have experienced as well.  However, the one thing we have always been able to count on is that we have a Father that can be depended upon to pick us up and dust us off and help us take the next step, no matter how hard that step might be.  Let's spend time with Him tomorrow letting Him know how much we love and appreciate Him.  Without Him, there would be nothing to celebrate.  

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Mid-Week Message - Help For the Weary

 "Have you not heard?  Have you never understood?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of his understanding."  Isaiah 40:28  (NLT)

Life.  Day in, day out.  One responsibility after another.  This child sick, this bill over due.  Fear of what the doctor is going to say.  Afraid to ask what else could go wrong because you just might find out.  

Been there?  Are you there now?  We all know the weariness of carrying one worry after another.  Everyone has experienced sleepless nights that lead into those days of just putting one foot before the other to keep going.  

For me, three consecutive years come to mind immediately.  In 2007 I was helping to take care of my parents.  I had moved them from east Texas to be near me after my father had suffered a heart attack.  He was my mother's caregiver.  She had been in poor health for many years so it was imperative that they be where someone could help them.  They had been there for a couple of years, then in November of that year, my father got up one morning and passed away in his chair.  Now my mother was my responsibility to see after.  

In 2008 the economy was suffering.  Layoffs were occurring throughout many industries.  One of those effected was my husband.  He called me one day at work and told me he had just been laid off.  The income, and insurance, that we counted on would be gone when his severance package ended.  

In 2009 he continued to seek employment, I continued working and taking care of my mother, and we continued to raise our teenage daughter.  Then in September I got a call from the rehab center where mother had gone to gain some strength that they had found her dead on the floor in the middle of the night.  

I'm sure every person reading has gone through their own times when they wondered how they were going to keep moving.  The weights upon the shoulders grow heavier and heavier until you think for sure you will break.  But somehow, one breath leads to another and living goes on.   

Today's verse is such a reassurance.  We can turn to the One who never grows weak or weary.  Our Creator has always known what joys and hardships we would face in our lives and He already knows what it will take to get us through them.  He doesn't promise us easy lives, but He does promise us that we will not walk our roads without Him by our side.  And it sure does help when we can slide our tired hands into His and allow Him to take the lead.  

I know many who are suffering right now.  I am praying for several who are ill, grieving, battling depression, looking for jobs or are swimming in unceasing tears.  I don't have a magic wand to make all the troubles cease.  But, I know the great I Am, who has all power and can bring rest where it is needed.  

My encouragement is to turn to the Peace-giver.  Go to the foot of the cross and cry out for help.  He never slumbers or sleeps and is never to busy to listen.  There you will find hope and help for carrying your burdens.  

May His mercy and grace be abundant and your heart find relief.  

Mid-Week Message - Comparing Ourselves to Others

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10  (NIV)   

In the 1984 movie "Footloose" we enjoyed watching actor Kevin Bacon doing some amazing dancing.  The movie was about a teenager who had moved to a new town where dancing was not allowed.  He and his friends set about changing the minds of the adults, getting them to understand that young people wanted to dance and have fun.  

Interesting fact, Kevin Bacon himself has said, "I can't dance."  In large portions of the movie, the dancing was done by stunt doubles.  Although that may not be surprising, it is much more fun to envision that he was the one that performed all the fancy moves.  

It is easy for us to look at people around us and assume that all is well in their worlds.  Certain folks just seem to have smooth lives with everything going their way.  They seemingly have no difficulties and it is easy to begin to envy them.  But we cannot know all that they deal with and things may not be as wonderful as they appear.  

You may be surprised to know that someone else may look at your life that way.  You know the truth though.  You know what you struggle with each day.  How hard you have to work for the money you make.  The tears you shed and how you plead in your prayers.  Although you may not show it to others, you have days when you wonder how to take the next step.  

When God created us, He made us individuals, each with our own talents, gifts, and paths to tread.  His perfect plan was for us to come to Him, accept Jesus as our Savior and live our lives according to His direction.  He knows the hardships we will face and promised to walk with us through them.  

When we spend our time comparing ourselves to others we fail to see the blessings that He designed just for us.  In coveting the life someone else has we are basically telling the Lord that we disapprove of the work He has done in our own lives.  

We all struggle with something.  Be it financial, health related, wayward children, addiction, depression, or the myriad of other issues, no one's road is free of obstacles.  Those obstacles, though, can drive us closer to Him and reveal His grace and mercy.  

No matter how it appears, no one has a perfect life.  But we do serve a perfect God who has a perfect plan for you and for me.  By staying close to His side, we will experience His perfect love in miraculous ways and become more and more grateful for the path He is leading us down.  

May His presence reassure us all as we deal with what is before us.