Update

Hi! I just wanted to give everyone an update. As you've probably noticed, I haven't posted anything in a while. The reason is that I've been working on a big project lately, and it's taken all of my time (and most of my sanity). I hope to be back posting daily, but until this project is finished, it may be hit and miss. I apologize for any inconvenience and hope that you'll be patient with me during this process. Thanks for all your love and support.

We Have Enough

I saw the funniest thing this past Saturday. I was cleaning up the fellowship building at our church after brunch. As I pushed the broom past the window, I stopped. A huge black bird was in the yard. His mouth was full of the toast that we had thrown out. It was really a comical sight--this black bird with a mouth full of white toast. And, his mouth was completely full. The toast was sticking out of each side of his beak. It was funny.

The thing that caught my attention next was that he kept trying to pick up more and more of the toast. "Don't be greedy," I heard myself saying. But, he did not listen. He tried in vain over and over again to pick up another piece of toast, but his beak was just too full. Finally, in frustration, he put his mouthful down on the ground and picked up the single piece that was giving him so much trouble. Then, he tried to pick up the mouthful again. It didn't work. After several minutes, he flew off with the single piece in his beak, leaving the mouthful on the ground. Stupid bird!

But then, I started thinking. We're the same way aren't we. We go through life always trying to get more. Maybe we're not all striving for more possessions, but how about more time, more energy, or better health? Just like the black bird, our lives are full of blessings, but in frustration, we set them all aside so that we can pick up one more thing. We fool ourselves into thinking we can have it all, but just like the bird, we find that we can't handle all those blessings at one time.

It would do us all good to remember the black bird. Let's not sacrifice all of today's blessings because of greed. Let's take today's blessings and enjoy them. God will send more when we need them. Let us be content with what we have and raise our voices to Heaven as we say, "We have enough!"

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (II Cor. 9:8)

WORKING TOGETHER

Have you ever cut your finger to the point where you couldn't really use it? Isn't it amazing the number of things that you have difficulty doing? Buttoning your shirt becomes challenging. Putting on socks or pantyhose creates quite a dilemma. Doors are harder to open. The pencil is almost impossible to hold. And typing. . .! All of these problems are the result of just one little finger being out of sorts.

You know, the Bible talks about Christians being members in the church, and to help us understand, God used the example of the human body. He tells us that the foot can't do the job of the hand. (That would be strange, wouldn't it?) He informs us that each part of our body has a specific task, and likewise, each member of the church has a special duty to perform.

When part of our body is out of whack, the rest of the body suffers. For example, I had a migraine earlier this week. The pain was in my head, but my eyes were affected by the light, my body ached all over, and my stomach was tossing and turning like a stormy sea. One headache caused a lot of trouble for the rest of my body. And, for those of you who suffer from migraines, you know you don't feel all better as soon as the headache is gone. You're sore, achy, and weak for a least another day. That's a lot of trouble because of one malfunctioning member.

The same can be said of the church. It only takes one member who is "out of sorts" to cause a big problem in the whole body. Many churches have split because of a situation that started with one member. This is not right, and it's not pleasing to the Lord. We need to be on guard. Satan wants our churches. He wants our members, and he will use whatever means he can.

My challenge to you? Be a good member. Be like that cut finger. Be so vital and so involved that if you ever had to miss a service, you would truly be missed. Don't do this in pride, but do it to be used of the Lord and to be a blessing to others. Be faithful to your church and your pastor. But above all, follow the Lord's leadership and be the member He wants you to be. Don't be a trouble maker or aid them. These are dark times. Satan is fighting, and I'm convinced he has some of his top "officers" in the churches. Watch out, and be a good member!

If Only. . .

If only Jason hadn't been laid off. . .
If only there was enough money to pay the bills. . .
If only my writing were more profitable. . .
If only the car hadn't been damaged. . .
If only things around the house worked like they are supposed to. . .
If only the pain in my shoulders would go away. . .

If only, if only, if only. If only all these things were so, it would be easy to rejoice in the Lord. Don't you think? If life were smooth and simple, wouldn't it be easy to sing praises?

According to Philippians 4:4, we're supposed to rejoice in the Lord, no matter the circumstances. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

What? How? How can I rejoice in the midst of so many heartaches? How can I praise the Lord when so many things are going wrong? How can I stay in a constant state of rejoicing? I think the answer can be found in the next few verses.

Let you moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. - Philippians 4:5-9

Scofield calls this "the secret of the peace of God." Do you want to be able to rejoice at all times and in all circumstances? According to the above passage, here's what you need to do:

1. Don't worry
2. Take it to God in prayer
3. Be thankful
4. Think positive
5. Consistently do what you've learned

Another thing that will help us is to focus on Christ, not the crisis. (That goes along with "think positive," but I wanted to mention it anyway.) Sure, life looks rough if I'm only looking at all the things that are going wrong. But, if I will focus on the many blessings around me, I will be more likely to rejoice. Let's get rid of the "if only's." They are time-wasters and energy-drainers. Instead, let's put our time and energy to a good use--praising the Lord who is worthy of our praise!

How Firm a Foundation?

So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered. - Ezekiel 13:14

In the above passage, the Lord is talking to Ezekiel about the lying prophets. I read this passage the other day in my daily Bible reading. I'll admit that since the book of Isaiah, I'm having a hard time understanding many of the different passages. The events jump from past to future, and while sometimes I can figure out the meaning of the verses, other times I'm just lost.

While I was reading this chapter, one phrase from verse 14 jumped out at me: so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered. That phrase alone seemed to answer a lot of the questions I have been asking.

As many of you know, it has been a rough few months. Between job loss, car accidents, home repairs, etc., life has been very discouraging. I kept telling myself that God has it all under control and that He has our best interest at heart. As soon as my spirit would lift a little, something else would go wrong to throw me right back down. After a while, I felt like I was losing the strength and courage to even get back up.

I've cried to the Lord. I've wondered if this was a trial from the devil or simply the Lord trying to get my attention to lead me in a new direction. I'm still not completely sure which it is. But, that phrase seemed to speak to me. I may not know where the trouble is coming from, but I think I know why it is coming. I'm being tested so that my foundation might be discovered. How firm is my foundation? Am I truly standing on the Solid Rock?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not doubting my salvation. I'm saved, and I know it. The question is not have I trusted to Jesus to save me but am I trusting Him daily with the events of my life. When the money is gone, the job is lost, the cars are wrecked, the house is falling apart, what's left? What do others see? Do they see a weak faith and a crushed spirit? Or, do they see a weary Christian singing praises to the Lord through the tears? How firm is my foundation? Unfortunately, it's not as firm as it should be. Maybe, that's why the testing is still going on. Maybe God is waiting for me to pass the test. (I always did hate tests!)

I don't have all the answers, but I know Someone who does. All I can do is trust in Him to see me through. After all, He's the only One who can!

Persistence Makes a Difference

I recently watched a very interesting episode of The Amazing Race. It was the last episode before the finale, so it was all about finding out which three teams would make it into the finals. There were three teams that I really liked, and one team that I didn't like too much. Needless to say, it was easy for me to know who to cheer for.

The first two teams arrived at the Pit Stop without much trouble. The last two teams, however, had run into many problems, leaving them fighting for third place. Near the end, it looked like the team I didn't like was going to win. They were ahead, and I was bummed.

However, when the third team arrived at the mat, it was not who I had expected. It was the last of the three teams I was cheering for. They made it into the final three. I was so thrilled!

You may be wondering how they pulled it off. It took me a minute to realize what had happened. Plain and simple, they didn't give up. Even though they knew they were in last place, they kept pushing on. They put all other thoughts aside and focused on one thing: winning the race. Their persistence won them the victory. They could have easily gotten discouraged and given up, but they didn't. And because they pressed on, they made it to the finish line literally seconds before the other team.

Isn't it amazing the difference a little persistence can make? I know the devil has certainly been fighting us lately. Sometimes I wonder if he ever has time to bother anyone else because he seems to always be pestering me. He fills my mind with his lies and tries to get me to give up. Sadly, many times I listen. But, I know that if I will be persistent, I will win this race. It doesn't matter if I finish first or third. What matters is that I run the race and that I give it my all. That alone may make a bigger difference than I'll ever know!