The more I learn about God, the more I realize I know absolutely nothing about Him.  I’ve managed to earn three degrees, a diploma, three levels of ministerial credentialing and much more only to realize I’m not as smart as I think I am.  The more I learn the less I know.  Seems crazy but it’s true.  Common sense tells you a college graduate should come out of school smarter than when they went in.  It’s my experience many times when you graduate you leave with more questions than answers.  You may be trained in certain areas of expertise but when it comes to the things of God you can hang it up.  God has to be the most confusing person I believe I’ve ever known.  Much of what He does never seems to make sense to me.   Have you ever sat back and considered who God is His methods.  I dare say, the majority of the time He never does things the way we expect Him to.  The Bible is chocked FULL of stories of people who were unprepared, uneducated, too old, too young, adulterers, fornicators—basically the worst of the worst and the most incapable.  THOSE are the people He has always chosen to use.  He never seems to use the smartest, richest, or even of most prepared or able-bodied.  He seemingly takes pride in doing things backwards.  As I’ve been reflecting on the Christmas story lately I’ve come to a few realizations that have left me baffled.

His people were looking for a king to save them, someone who would gallop in on a white horse and save the day.  What they got were 10 little fingers and 10 little toes.  They were expecting someone with military experience and power that would sweep in with force and decimate their enemy.  What they got were smooth skin and a fuzzy little head too small to carry a heavy jewel encrusted crown.  This is a king?  From this perspective he doesn’t look like he has the power to save anyone, let alone himself.  What you don’t understand is you’re looking through human eyes.  You are viewing things with eyes that are flawed and can’t see the true power and potential in that little body lying in the feeding trough.  He will save his people….but not in the way you expect.  He will rescue his people from their oppression, though not in the way you anticipate.  He will rule the world, but not from an earthly kingdom.  He will bring justice, though not in the way you desire.  He will fight a terrible and bloody battle, but won’t use force to win.  How will He bring justice, rescue His people, and rule the world, you ask?  With a few pieces of splintered wood and three rusty nails.  He will simply lay down and die.  This is our King and Savior.  We don’t like to consider it but Christ was born to die.  Seems an oddity.  Not really.  That’s just the backwards God we serve.  The next time you begin stressing over how things seem to be coming out all wrong take a minute and reflect over what you know about God.  He brings the most beauty from the biggest mess.  Trust that He’s working it all out for your good.  Merry Christmas everyone!

**Side note:  This is probably going to be the last blog of this year for me.  I appreciate all of you that have chosen to read it.  I am humbled when I consider that in the few months I’ve been writing I’ve had nearly 1500 visitors to this site.  My goal is to expand my writing endeavors in the coming year and I ask that you join with me in prayer as I pray for His guidance in this process.  I will do my best to keep you up to date.  I do have an article being printed in January and will be providing a link so you may read it when it is printed, if you’re interested in doing so.  God bless you all in the coming year!!!

A little over a year ago I had an article printed in a magazine that I wanted to share with you.  It is very fitting for this Christmas season.  I pray it blesses you!!  Here it is:

I speak from experience when I say that a man’s desire to have children can be strong. Even from childhood, I knew I would be a dad someday, though I had no idea about the road I would travel to get there.  At times my desire to have children seemed to outweigh that of my wife.   When I discovered that the reasons for “our infertility” were mine, I was crushed beyond words.  I petitioned God not to penalize my wife for my shortcomings, ignorantly assuming that I was being punished for something I had done.

Adoption had always been a way we embraced for building our family, though I never assumed we would be walking that road so quickly.  Although I wanted to adopt, I still had legitimate concerns:  What would it be like to raise a child who was not biologically my own and did not look like me?  Would people around us suspect my wife of infidelity?   How would I/we handle the stares and/or rumors of others?  Despite these questions, nothing overshadowed my desire for a children.

Throughout the years, I have heard numerous sermons and songs, and I have read articles that ponder Mary’s state of mind in preparation for Jesus’ birth.  I, too, have pondered these things, but last year’s Christmas was different for me.  You see, that is when I became the father of two children, both adopted through Bethany.  Our daughter, Halynn, was 4 and our son, Holden, was 9 months old at Christmas time. [they are now 6 and 2]

While it was not the first time I experienced a “First Christmas,” it was the first time I celebrated with my son.  Unlike in earlier years, last year I began to ask myself questions like these:  What about Joseph?   What was he was thinking when the angel appeared to inform him about Mary‘s pregnancy?  What emotions did he experience in the months leading to Jesus’ arrival?  How heavy was the burden he carried knowing that he would raise the son of God?

The Bible tells us that Joseph was a righteous man and hard worker.  We also know he was a man of good character because of how he reacted to Mary’s pregnancy.  His concern for her well-being was apparent through his actions.  He was within his rights to turn his back on Mary and break his engagement, which would have led to her death by stoning.  Joseph’s desire to prevent Mary from experiencing this shame and ultimate death led him to decide to separate quietly before their marriage.  This, we know from Scripture, was prior to the appearance of the angel and his message to Joseph.

The road Mary and Joseph traveled afterwards was bumpy, both figuratively and literally.  The people in their town must have been fully aware that Joseph and Mary were not married, yet Mary’s pregnancy would have brought stares and judgment.  Traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in the census also proved to be bumpy—literally.

I am sharing part of our adoption story to encourage you and to express two important lessons from God’s Word.  Sometimes the road of life may lead you in directions you did not expect to travel…or maybe you planned to take that road…just at a different time.  The roads you travel may be painful.  They may seem like punishment, especially when things do not turn out as you thought they would or should.  The truths I express to you are not based on my personal opinions, but on God’s Word.

Lesson #1:  We may not understand what God is doing at every turn on our road of life, but we must trust Him. 

God has a plan for you and your family, but you must seek that plan by praying for wisdom and guidance.  God’s ways and thoughts are higher than yours.  You must seek Him, and you will most assuredly find Him.  And you must realize that this is not a one-time prayer but a daily one.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13

Lesson #2:  When His desires become our desires, our personal opinions take a back seat to His will, and nothing else matters. 

As Christians, we like to jump to the end of the verse below, where it states, “and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  Rather, we should “Delight thyself [ourselves] also in the Lord….”   When God becomes our delight, an exchange occurs.   When we delight ourselves in Him, God’s desires become ours, and they align with His will for us. “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  Psalm 37:4

So, what about Joseph?  I imagine He had the same feeling I did the first time I laid my eyes on my daughter and my son—an overwhelming sense of love and pride.  He also experienced the very natural desire to protect his child at all costs.  The judgmental stares of the previous nine months no longer mattered as Joseph looked upon the face of his son wrapped in swaddling clothes and nestled comfortably in his arms.  The fact that Jesus was not Joseph’s biological child no longer mattered.  I like to think that the first song Joseph sang to Jesus mirrored the lyrics in “Joseph’s Lullaby” by MercyMe:

“Go to sleep my Son, this manger for your bed.  You have a long road before You, rest Your little head.  Can You feel the weight of Your glory?  Do You understand the price?  Or does the Father guard Your heart for now so You can sleep tonight? 

Go to sleep my Son.  Go and chase Your dreams.  This world can wait for one more moment.  Go and sleep in peace.  I believe the glory of Heaven is lying in my arms tonight.  Lord, I ask that He, for just this moment simply be my child.

Go to sleep my Son.  Baby, close Your eyes.  Soon enough You’ll save the day but for now, dear Child of mine…Oh my Jesus….sleep tight”

Be encouraged and remember this:  Regardless of your circumstance, God is in control, and He will never leave nor forsake you.

**If you would like to hear this song….AND IT’S WORTH THE 3 MINUTES IT WILL TAKE YOU TO LISTEN TO IT….you can find it here: http://youtu.be/9ehZ5s_icFE

It’s a familiar story most Christians have heard at one time or another. John 5:1-9 tells us of a man crippled for thirty eight years found lying by the pool called Bethesda. Scripture tells us whoever entered the pool first upon the troubling/stirring of the water would be made whole/healed. This particular day Jesus was traveling through Jerusalem. Knowing the man had been in this condition for a while Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made well?” The man’s immediate response consisted of the reasons he couldn’t/wouldn’t receive his healing. Jesus responds, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” I want you to do something today. I want you to concentrate on the space. I know it sounds weird, but stay with me. I want you to concentrate on that area of space between the moment the lame man received the command from Jesus and the decision to take the action. That space is pivotal.

I’ve always found it interesting he never responded to Jesus with a simple yes or no rather he began listing WHY he had not/could not be made well. It’s a perfect example of how we (I include myself) receive a word from God, perhaps a promise of blessings/healings/miracles.  We immediately began mulling it over in our minds but our minds always tend to lean toward why it can’t happen. It’s a normal response from ANY human being, myself included. Today, you are being presented with a pivotal moment. A moment you will experience in many forms throughout your life. It’s that space. That space between receiving the promise God has for you and the action you/we will choose to take. The lame man could have foregone his miracle by allowing his current reality to dictate his response. In that space of time between Christ’s command and his action he CHOSE to take up his bed and walk. He chose to believe, receive, and (literally) walk in his promise.  I don’t know your circumstance or situation today but I can ASSURE you God is speaking to you. That space will be the determining factor in YOU receiving your promise. It may not happen instantaneously and that’s okay. Some miracles don’t happen instantly but that doesn’t make them any less miraculous. In example, God waited until Sarai (later renamed Sarah) was 90 before he gave her a child.  God also chose to send Israel’s long awaited king by impregnating a virgin who was born in the lowliest of circumstances. Science tells us both of these instances are impossible.  A 90 year old woman can’t get pregnant and neither can a young girl who hasn’t had sexual relations.  The Bible is FULL of stories reminding us God specializes in making the impossible possible!  With God ALL THINGS are possible. However the key is going to lie in our daily Galations 2:20 crucifixion of our flesh.

I encourage you today stop concentrating and focusing on what’s in front of your physical eyes and start using your spiritual eyes. If He said it….He will do it……..in HIS time (yeah, we don’t like that part). In that ‘space’ of time CHOOSE to make the right decision. Choose to trust. Choose to believe. Receive and walk in your promise regardless what your situation dictates. Rather than waste time complaining why your promise or miracle CAN’T take place, choose to proclaim how much BIGGER your God is. There are times we may receive a promise that is so unbelievable we don’t see how it could possibly come true. We can choose to sit and argue with God or we can receive and walk in faith of what He’s said he was going to do. Stop complaining. Stop worrying. Stop fixating on things you can’t change. Just……….STOP! If He said it……He’ll do it!!!  It very well could be time for you to take up YOUR bed and walk!!  When the moment presents itself, capitalize on that ‘space’ by placing your trust in Him.

Now that I’ve got your attention, let me explain.  Have you ever considered why we celebrate certain holidays at only certain times of the year?  It’s kind of ridiculous if you think about it.  We choose to celebrate the love we have for our ‘significant other’ in February.  We celebrate Easter in March or April.  We celebrate Halloween in October, Thanksgiving in November, and Christmas in December (PS—I realize there are other holidays but these tend to be the main ones that bring the most attention in the media).  I’m pretty sure many holidays were created with good intention but they’ve morphed into something that strays from the original intent.  While I understand the idea behind all holidays I feel like we are missing a bigger picture.  Why only celebrate these things at certain times?!?  Why not celebrate all year long?!?

With the exception of Halloween (my own personal feelings—another blog on another day), I don’t understand why we don’t celebrate all throughout the year.  Our ability to celebrate, show our love, and give thanks can’t/shouldn’t be limited to nationally recognized holidays.  I’m supposed to celebrate my love for my wife every day, NOT just in February or in July (our anniversary).  I should give thanks to God for His many blessings ALL YEAR LONG, not just in November.  I should be excited about and celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection EVERY-SINGLE-DAY!  So, this weeks blog is short and simple.  Check your thinking.  Make your proclamations of love, thanks, and whatever kind of response the holidays give you a daily habit.  I honestly believe it will genuinely change your outlook on life.  It’s fine to be thankful this week but I pray you feel the same way next week and the weeks following and will verbalize it wherever you go.  So, I think we need to cancel Thanksgiving.  On second thought, never mind.  I enjoy the time off to spend with family and overeat, ha ha!!  But you get my point.  Keep things in perspective this year J

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:17

A few months ago I wrote a blog titled, “You’re making Him look bad!”  My main discussion point was how the actions of Christians are making God look bad.  I spoke of the highly publicized downfalls of some of our past mega-church pastors and the reproach their actions were bringing to God’s name.  I also stated Christendom couldn’t blame the media and others for causing Christianity to be viewed in a negative light, as we were doing that all by ourselves.  Everywhere I turn lately I’ve got all these red flags popping up in my head.  I keep asking myself what is truly happening here?  Seems like all we’re (Christians) doing these days is blending in with the world around us.  I’m bothered when I look at my Facebook feed and see church-attending, self-proclaimed Christians discussing attending a viewing of an upcoming movie about strippers.  I’m bothered when I see pictures of these same people involved in things that would make the worst of sinners blush.  I don’t want to sound ‘preachy’ right now but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t say something.

I recently heard someone mention how bothered they were at the horrible things going on around us in the world, as if they expected more from mankind as a whole.  In my mind I questioned why they were really surprised.  Those who have purposefully chosen not to live a Christian life don’t really have standard to live by.  They have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone, nor any reason to “set themselves apart.”  Sure, there are laws in place, as there should be, to keep our society from going absolutely bonkers.  Beyond basic laws there are no other standards.  I was scanning the radio recently and heard some guy croon off the one-liner, “…..we’re waiting on the world to change.”  NEWS FLASH:  It’s not going to happen…..the world is not going to change.  We are absolutely living in the end times and, whether we care to admit it, things WILL get worse.  I guess the main purpose for my blog and the question I want to pose is this:  When will the church start choosing to, “come out from among them..”?  I don’t know about anyone else but everywhere I turn there are alarms going off in my head.  I see Christians blatantly involving themselves in things that bring reproach to the name of God.  Apparently this issue isn’t just a problem in modern times as we’re reminded in the word of God we should choose whether we will be hot or cold.  If we’re lukewarm we can be expected to be discarded or “spewed.”

Let me put this into perspective for a minute.  Anyone who has been a part of our society in the past 50 years knows who Billy Graham is.  In my thirty-six years on this earth I have NEVER heard anyone say a negative thing about this great man of God.  How do you think it would affect society as a whole and bring reproach to the name of God should we find out he cheated on his wife and had a ‘love child.’  Oh, and he has an alcohol, pornography, and drug issue he’s never been able to shake.  Thankfully, none of us are expected to be perfect and God will forgive us of our sins.  But here’s the thing, can you imagine the ripple effect it would have on the Christian AND non-Christian world if this were to happen.  I dare say this instance may drive some further away from the Christian faith as the life he lived would have reflected perceived hypocrisy.  Every good thing he had ever done for Christ would now stand in the shadow of this revelation.  Now, turn the corner with me.  What if the God in YOU is the ONLY God someone around you ever experiences?  Why would you involve yourself in questionable practices that could cause someone else to stumble?  We as Christians can’t help usher in positive change in our society and truly be ‘salt and light’ until the word of God changes US!  “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  [2 Chron. 7:14]  It’s time for God’s people to WAKE UP!!!!  The alarm is sounding!!!!!  Stop putting the pillow over your head and slapping the snooze button!!  “The harvest is plentiful…….”  Get to work, man/woman of God!!!!

The Holy Spirit recently reminded me of a story I heard my childhood pastor use in a sermon years ago.  The story goes like this….There was a minister who began working at a new church. The first week the pastor went in and conducted the service as normal. He came back to find the only money that had been given in the offering that Sunday was the money he had placed from his own pocket. He foraged ahead and prepared for the next week.  Again came up with the same result. After about 3 weeks of this same response from his congregants his frustration got the best of him. On the way home from church he began venting to his wife as his two small children sat in the back seat and played games. At one point the minister raised his voice a little in frustration and said, “I just don’t understand! Every week it’s the same thing. I put in a $10 bill and when I check the offering plates later the ONLY thing I find is the money I put in the plate!! It just frustrates me!!!”  Not realizing his children were listening, his five year old interjected and said, “Dad, maybe next time, if you want more in the offering, maybe you should give more.”

You can peruse Facebook at any given time throughout your day and find so many people complaining about a myriad of issues. While I realize there are certain things in life we can not control I also realize there are MANY instances we reap the consequences of our own bad decisions. We like to blame our problems and issues on everyone else when it’s really our fault. We complain because we haven’t gotten that raise or job promotion we felt we deserved. We get frustrated that our relationship with our mate/family members isn’t what it needs to be. We grumble when our children act a certain way in public. We whine when we can’t feel the presence of God. Is it possible you didn’t get that job promotion/raise is because you didn’t deserve it? Could you have worked harder and proven yourself more worthy?  Is it possible that it’s our fault there is an impenetrable wall between us and our family members/mates? Do we focus on other things rather than working on our relationships? Is it possible that it’s our fault our children are disrespectful to others and in public? Could it be they learned those bad habits from—dare I say it—me/you?!? Is it possible that you feel distant from God because you chose to do everything else instead of praying/reading your Bible for the past few weeks?

As stated above there ARE some things we have absolutely NO control over. But how much can we REALLY change that will bring a more positive result? When was the last time you looked in the mirror and really paid attention to how you were living your life? When was the last time you took an inventory of your personal relationships with those around you? What can YOU do to make things better?!?  I encourage you to choose NOT to complain today.  Rather, do something to change those negative things in your life. Luke 6:37-38 states, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV) Do your best to live life in a way that would be pleasing unto God.  Then allow God to work out the details of all that other stuff.  It’s simple.  Don’t like being overweight?  Stop eating so much.  Don’t like being in so much debt?  Stop spending money.  Want a better relationship with God?  DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!  [I’ve got to close this thing…I’m preaching to myself a little too much, LOL!!]  Change what you can change and let God take care of the rest.  What are you putting in?  Because, most likely, that’s what you’re going to get back.

I wanted to share what happened this evening around our dinner table.  It’s a Sunday evening and I think I speak for my entire family when I say we are ‘slap tired’ (yeah, that’s a good ole’ southern statement).  This entire weekend has been busy and tiring but spiritually rewarding.  Back to my story.  Mom had gone to change clothes so it was Dad, Berta, and Bub (nicknames I have for my daughter and son).  As we were sitting at the table eating we prayed over our food and ended with the usual, “Amen.”  I immediately followed it with a sigh of “Thank you, Jesus!”  And I meant it.  My daughter repeated in the same tone and looked at me smiling.  I smiled back and returned my attention to dividing the food.  A few seconds later my two year old son repeated the same, “Thank you, Jesus!”  This exchange between my kids continued on for 2 or 3 more minutes.  They continued to repeat the same line over and over again and increased in volume and changed in tone.  It was actually quite cute.  And coming from a couple of kids that attend an evangelical holiness church……let’s just say they were gettin’ down with their praise!!  It was one of those moments I wish I could have recorded and watched over and over.  They didn’t realize it but THEIR praise was getting me a little stirred up spiritually.  There’s something about seeing/hearing children exclaim praises to God.  Whether they realize the power of what they were speaking you have to admit there’s something extraordinary about children exclaiming their love and affection for their Heavenly Father.  It’s so pure and innocent.  I had infected them with MY praise.  What had started as a simple praise unto God snowballed into something much larger.  Though my body was screaming for sleep my spirit man said, “I’m ready for another round….lets go!”

I realized something in those few little minutes. I have two options in which to choose from…..and so do you.  In most any situation we can choose to be the ‘infector’ or the ‘infected.’  They both come with their own list of negatives and positives simply based on the heart, mind, and spirit of the persons involved.  Let me explain.  In the situation I shared above, I was the infector.  I infected my children with my praise.  They were affected and infected by my praise.  My praise had rubbed off.  Though it may have seemed simple there was power in what those babies were stating.  Let’s flip the coin.  Ever known somebody that just down-right drove you crazy with their negativity?!?  Yeah, you know the group I’m talking about…..they complain about 85-90% of the time.  I’m being serious here.  Whether it’s a Facebook post, a phone call, email, message…the majority of the time they leave you wanting to say, “I love you but please just stop talking!”  The sad thing is I’ve seen these persons begin complaining and within minutes they have someone else complaining with them.  Before long, someone else has joined and it turns into a pity party.  We all know misery loves company.  Now, in those moments that person has become the infector and those who have joined the pity party have become infected.  That negativity has rubbed off.

You have a choice to make everywhere you go. You have a choice to make no matter what the task is at hand.  Are you going to be the infector or the infected?  Praise is contagious.  Sadly, so is negativity.  You can choose to be salt and light or the opposite.  It’s my prayer that wherever you go the environment around you will be affected……in a POSITIVE way.  And not because of anything YOU have done rather the God IN you SHOULD bring change to your environment.  Right now we are dealing with this worldwide fear of a sickness named Ebola.  Though I’m not sure how it started it has now made its way to the U.S. and most seem to be running around like chickens with their heads cut off.  Everyone is worried they’ll catch it.  What would the world look like if Christians ACTUALLY began stepping up in such a way that every time they enter into a room the environment changed for the better?!?  What if we chose to praise God so much and so often that OUR praise caused God to get a little stirred up.  He has already told us, “..if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 [Chron. 7:14]  It’s a promise to us all.  But it comes with some stipulations.  Are you willing to do what it takes to convince God to step in and move in mighty and powerful ways???  It’s time to start infecting people……with the right stuff!!!  Praise is contagious.  Spread it around!!!!

Back in December of last year we decided to get our children a couple of fish for Christmas.  The first few months were rough as 6 of them went to see Jesus a little too early leaving my children in mourning.  FINALLY, with the help of a friend, I found a few fish that will live for longer periods of time.  From the beginning I set out to train these fish.  Every time I was ready to feed them I would tap the top of the tank 5 or 6 times.  After a few days the fish began catching the hint.  They would immediately swim to the top after I tapped the tank realizing it was time to eat.  If you can get your hands on most any animal in its infancy state and beginning putting in the work you have the ability to train or tame that animal.  I find this amazing as I’ve seen it done with even the most dangerous of animals like lions and tigers and bears (OH MY!  Sorry couldn’t resist).  Have you ever given any thought to the one creature that can NOT be tamed.  Any guesses?!?  You might be a little surprised (or maybe not) to know this creature is a little closer to home.  It’s only a few inches from your eyes and directly below your nose.  Give up?!?  It’s your tongue!!!  I know it sounds a little weird but it’s true.

When I think of dangerous and deadly I think of guns, knives, or dental tools (just a joke-no offense to those in the dental profession)  James 3:7-8 tells us, “People can tame all types of animals and birds reptiles and fish but no one can tame the tongue.  It is an uncontrollable evil full of deadly poison.”  Who needs a snake bite to kill someone when we can do it ourselves?!?  Honestly, have you ever considered the actual power of the tongue?  I believe I’ve mentioned it before but it bears repeating.  The word reminds us there’s life and death in our tongues.  Think about it for a minute.  You know it to be fact.  Draw from your own experience for a minute.  You can be having a perfectly good day and all it takes is one idiot……pardon me…….it only takes one person who chooses not to use their words wisely and your day is shot!  And we Christians have no excuse as the Bible warns us constantly to think before we speak.  Sadly, Christians tend to be the worse and then use the Bible to justify their ignorance–but that’s another blog.  In a matter of minutes we can leave church after having just sang Amazing Grace and hop in the car only to lash out at our kids and spouse for something that really isn’t a big deal.  In a matter of seconds we can damage someone’s self esteem, wreak havoc on the happiest of those around us, bring division in one of our relationships, or cause irreversible damage to someone.  We tend to forget but some of life’s greatest lessons come from children’s songs.  As I was working on this blog I was reminded of a song we use to sing in Sunday School, “Oh be careful little feet where you go/Oh be careful little eyes what you see/Oh be careful little mouth what you say…for the Father up above is looking down in love….”

How do we fix it?  I think the first course of action is to find what genuinely lies behind that biting tongue.  What is it that is genuinely causing you to WANT to be so hateful to others?  Could it be bitterness, jealousy, unresolved issues, pride, selfishness, frustration?  The list could go on for days.  I think it becomes necessary at some point to take inventory of WHY you do what you do.  Once you’ve figured out where the root lies it then becomes possible for you to address and/or fix the issue.  Admitting your shortcomings and weaknesses don’t make you incapable of inefficient rather STRONGER!  If you call yourself a Christian do your best to speak life and blessings wherever you go.  If you carry His name stop tarnishing it!!!!  Clean up those spaces that are causing the issues and fill them with more of HIM!  Momma always said, “If you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all.”  In simpler terms, sometimes you just need to put the SHUT-to-the-UP!  Side note:  If you’re constantly biting your tongue maybe you should REALLY do some praying that God would give you discernment on why you continue to have the same problem with the same person over and over.  It’s simple…..give and show love.  Seems easy, right?!?  I sure hope so!!  Blessings to you all as you attempt to tame the untamable!!!

Years ago as I was traveling with a weekend ministry singing group.  This one particular weekend we stepped on the tour bus and seated ourselves.  A few minutes later the manager of the group walked on with a huge smile carrying what looked like a briefcase holding it high for all to see.  My first thoughts were, if there’s a million bucks in that box somebody is getting tackled, LOL!!!  Someone piped up asking, “Why are you smiling so big and what is that?!?”  His response, as if he had won the lottery was, “It’s a cellular phone!!!”  What?!?  A cellular phone?!?  I had only heard about them and was now about to see one for the first time.  As he unzipped the case he stated, “Now it’s just for emergencies and we only get 3 hours a month through our plan.”  It was HUGE in comparison to house phones but, who really cared, it could be used ANYWHERE!!  Thinking back to that moment it was almost comical.  Fast forward quite a few years (none of your business how long because I would be telling my age, LOL!) and I have now owned my fair share of cell phones that continue to decrease in size each passing year.

(I realize this may seem trivial and kind of weird but stick with me I’m going somewhere) To think about size and limited capability in comparisons to today’s cell phone, again, it’s almost comical.  The abilities of those old devices were limited to…….you guessed it…….phone calls.  Modern day phones are AMAZING in comparison as they can video, take pictures, send and receive texts, access the internet, allow you to check your bank balances and make adjustments, allow you to deposit checks without ever going by the bank (my bank started this months ago), it can be used as a level when hanging a picture, you can play games, you can check and send emails, it’s a clock, it’s an alarm, you can set your DVR at home to record a movie, you can reserve a movie at your local redbox, it’s a calendar, it can be used as a compass, you can download books and music for your own enjoyment, check your stocks, video conference with someone, reserve a spot at your favorite local restaurant, check out what movies are playing and purchase tickets, access coupons, play instruments……and that’s just to name a FEW things.  Oh yeah, and lets not forget, you can place a phone call, wirelessly.  Technology has had its fair share of positives and negatives.  Though some things change…..many will remain the same.

Lets turn the corner and talk about something that is UNchanging. God.  The word tells us He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  How do I know this?!?  I’ve experienced it for myself time after time.  No matter how hard the world has tried, every myth thrown out there has been debunked.  Every portion of the Bible that others have attempted to disprove ended in ultimate FAILURE.  You never have to charge him up so you can use Him.  You never have to upgrade Him because He can’t get any better than He already is!  He’s ALWAYS there, especially in your greatest time of need.  You don’t have to worry about leaving him at home because we know that HE will never leave nor forsake US.  He’s with us wherever we go!  Not sure about how to handle a specific situation that has come along?  Go to God’s playbook…the Bible.  There’s ALWAYS a lesson to be learn and wisdom to be received.  I’ve read the Bible through quite a few times and I can tell you I learn something new every time I turn the page.  “All other ground is sinking sand….” but He is a solid rock you can stand on when everything around you seems to be chaotic and crazy.  Life changes at a rapid pace and there’s nothing we can really do about it.  People are going to break promises, lie to your face, and hurt you worse than you thought possible.  Rather than allow worry and frustration to overcome you and control your thoughts make a choice to turn to the One who is unchanging.  Rather than live in uncertainty place your faith in the unchanging One.  There are lots of fakes our there but ‘ain’t nothin’ like the real thang baby!’  Spread the word!!!!

So let me paint a picture for you of my current view. It is a beautiful sunny Saturday with the perfect 77° temperature. The sky is blue and filled with big fluffy clouds and the breezes bring about the perfect amount of coolness to counteract the little bit of heat threatening to cause me to begin sweating. It is a gorgeous day, to say the least. I am staring at two caramel complexioned children that are the most gorgeous things I have ever seen (no, I’m not partial, ha ha).  Mom has been out of town since Wednesday night so it has been Dad and the kids for quite a few days.  We have played inside and have now decided to come outside since the sun decided to make an appearance after a cloudy morning.  There were a couple of things that I felt needed to be done like washing the car and cleaning the yard but now I’m just spending time watching my children playing.  I found myself at one point feeling a little jealous of my children as it seemed like they didn’t have a care in this world.  Truth be told…..they don’t.  They don’t have to worry about a roof over their head or food for their stomachs because mom and dad have got that covered.  There has always been a meal whenever they wanted it.  They don’t have to worry about clothes because, of course, mom and dad have that taken care of too. They can simply be children and enjoy life. Their biggest worry today has been attacks from the water monster (a.k.a. the hose pipe) during and after washing Daddy’s car.  I wouldn’t take any amount of money for the joy I see on their faces today.  They are simply carefree…….and that’s the way it should be.

As I mentioned earlier I found myself at one point experiencing a mild amount of jealousy. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy adulthood.  I can make my own decisions.  I can choose to purchase anything I want, within reason-of course.  But I remember moments from my childhood where I too didn’t have a care in the world.  I could simply throw caution to the wind and just live in the moment.  I’ll be the first to admit adulthood comes with MORE than its fair share of stresses.  Sometimes it seems like life is a juggling act and I’m dropping balls left and right.  It can be downright frustrating at times.  But I will say this, I intend on allowing my children to BE children as long as they can.  I intend to shelter them from the stresses of life as long as they’ll let me.  I intend on shouldering any burden I can so that they won’t have to.  Here’s the interesting part of this whole dialogue I’ve got going on in my head.  No sooner do I think these thoughts and I feel my own heavenly Father saying…. “This is what I desire for you too!”  Talk about a slap to the forehead!!!!!!  All this time I’ve been worrying about the things I’ll have to do next week and I haven’t truly been able to enjoy THIS moment.  Ps. 84:11 reminds us, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” [my emphasis]  EVERY – SINGLE – FEELING I have expressed about my own children is the EXACT same way my own Heavenly Father desires to take care of me.  WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!?!?  Why am I carrying burdens I don’t have the strength nor capacity to tow around?!?!?  I know His word tells me, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” [Isa 26:3]

Things seem hard sometimes. Unexpected and tragic things happen on every side. So much happens that is beyond our control but here’s the one thing I CAN control – today I will be as carefree as my children. I’ve got someone looking out for my best interest.  As long as I’m being faithful and doing my best He’s going to provide the answers I need before I ever need them.  I can go take a couple of passes on the sliding board with my kids because I shouldn’t be stressing.  I can go create a work of art with sidewalk chalk because God’s got my back.  I can go blow bubbles without worrying about next week because I too don’t have a care in this world.  My ‘Daddy’ is watching out for me.  It is my true desire that today you can find peace.  I hope you can find the joy that He wants to give you.  I pray you will allow Him to lift EVERY burden.  We know from reading the Bible that God has a soft spot for children.  Go be a kid again and let my ‘Daddy’ worry about the big stuff.  That being said, If you’ll excuse me I think it is time for the ‘water monster’ to make another surprise appearance and attack a couple of little monkeys.  Life is too short to stress or to worry so……don’t!

P.S.—I may need a reminder of these facts when I forget so I hope SOMEBODY is reading this 🙂