What's Important To You?

Think about that, and really be honest with yourself and ask what is important to you. Is it to be wealthy ? Is it to be famous? Or are you half way committed to family and half way to a worldly goal? Perhaps you aren’t really committed to anything and prefer to “ go with the flow”.  

Whatever you are committing yourself to now will determine your future life.  So if you aren’t committed to anything or are committed to things that do not share the same values you are likely to end up frustrated or floating in mediocrity.  If you focus more on the worldly ways of wealth and fame, you risk being bitter and disappointed in what your life has become. 

I speak from experience here, early in life I made poor choices, some that have come back to bite me.  My choices were self centered and lacking wisdom concerning my future.  I was living day to day, going with the flow of the world and partying my way through life. I made little effort towards getting an education until in my 30’s when it became apparent I needed more knowledge to get on with my worldly goals.  My family truly suffered, both my relationship with my parents and little did I know the relationship with my children, I just couldn’t see past today.

So everything will be destroyed. And what kind of people should you be? You should lead holy and godly lives. 2 Peter 3:11 NIRV

In the last several years I have developed a wonderful relationship with God, and with His help I have made a complete turn around in my  life. The lines between the families, step & biological, became amazingly blurred.   Holidays and birthdays have become times with “friends”; no resentment of each other, just our crazy functional-dysfunctional  family. People were amazed that we could all get along.  Though we would explain that it hadn’t aways been that way, I am sure everyone agrees we are grateful that we let God take control and make things right between us.  

There are some relationships that still need work, however long it takes, I will give that to God to work on; I know it is not my job to repair everything, but is God’s job.

However you don’t have to wait; stop, think about what is important to you today, before it is too late and you have repair broken relationships or end up living a frustrated meaningless life. Let God direct your way, you may not understand where he is leading you, but you don’t have to, He sees the whole picture of your life- you don’t.

What's in your pockets?

How many times have you read something and not really get it until a moment in your life when you really needed it. Does that make sense?  

I read a scripture from Proverbs that I have read many times, Proverbs 3:3.  We have all heard Pastors and speakers tell us to "get the word deep in your heart" or "write them on the tablet of your heart".  I guess I always knew what that meant, but never really thought too much about it until I needed it.  In the Encarta world Dictionary one meaning of Write is  "to ordain or prophesy what will happen in the future". 

In the verse Proverbs 3:3 NKJV we are told to let not mercy & truth forsake you bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 

 In the NLT the verses reads; Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder; Write them deep within your heart. 

Mercy & Truth.  Loyalty & Kindness.  We can prophesy that they will happen in the future.  We can ordain that they will happen in the future. 

For me keeping it in "my heart" is like keeping something in your pocket.  It is there when you need it.  So by keeping Kindness, let's say, in my pocket, I can ordain or command myself to show kindness;  at a time I really need it.  Like when the guy cuts me off in traffic...

I can prophesy Mercy, it's in my pocket, I have it when I need it; I will reveal (show) God’s mercy & compassion to others; I am predicting it, because I am prepared. 

Life is full of the unexpected, many times you are going to have to check what is in your pockets.  Will they be full of lint or the good stuff.......

An Ispiring Vet.

Marine Corporal Aaron Mankin after 65 surgeries

 Aaron Mankin was severely burned in Iraq when the vehicle he was riding in hit a roadside bomb, killing 4 of his buddies.  In 2007 he was the first patient accepted to  Operation Mend at UCLA. 65 surgeries 8.5 years later he is traveling speaking to and encouraging other veterans.  
Watching his interview this morning on the Today Show, I was struck by his attitude and words.  
"So much in life you can’t control,  your power is in that you can choose to dictate how you respond. I made a choice; a choice that no one will dictate who I am."

So many of us let our Identity be dictated by what the world says about us. What we wear, where we work, what you drive, where you live, who’s your Spouse and who are your parents or children. When in fact as Aaron said, “Beauty is who you are not how you look.”  Or what you have or who your family is, I would add.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  This means you get a new identity.

Like Aaron stated, there is so much in life we cannot control. Make the same choice as Aaron did, the choice that no one will dictate who you are.  We need to use our power to live more like Christ lived, and let God dictate who we are and how we respond.

Where are you God?

Hey everyone!
Sorry it has been so long since I have written.  I am trying to make this blog work into my schedule, so I will be changing to a weekly format.  I am  also researching new topics and going over some old writings (pre-blog) to share with you.  So please hang in there with me for a little longer.

It's been a little tough writing lately. God's inspiration wasn't coming and I admit to being a little frustrated.  I caught myself praying, "Where are you God, remember you wanted me to do this, and promised to help?"  As my 5 year old granddaughter Addie says "And then I just said Seriously?"
My feeling of abandonment and I are in good company, great men in the Bible felt the same way. Isaiah says-

While I wait for God as long as he remains in hiding,    while I wait and hope for him.I stand my ground and hope,...  

Isaiah 8:17 MSG

And David in Psalms -

God, God . . . my God!    Why did you dump me    miles from nowhere?Doubled up with pain, I call to God    all the day long. No answer. Nothing.I keep at it all night, tossing and turningPsalms 22:1-2 MSG

But of course God had not abandoned them, he has not abandoned me- and He won't abandon you either.
We are seeking a relationship with God. Relationships take work, we have to do our part; and I think God is asking us "Will you remain faithful  and worship me even when you cannot feel my presence?"
Faith & worship, that's what He is asking for, our faith and love.