Hope vs. Unhope

There is so much 'unhope' in society.  So many conversations, so many deeds of corruption.  So many hurt people hurting people.  So many strange pieces of the puzzle of life.  All of these pieces for many people offer 'unhope'.  That's my word- don't try to look it up.  Yet . . . in spite of . . . there is still hope.  Actually, hope was never lost, if you are clear what report you believe. 

When the spies were sent to check out the land the Israelites were to possess most were afraid of the inhabitants, only two said, "we can take them."  'Unhope' says, "we can't do it," "too much going on," "too little resources," "not enough time" "too late."  But  hope says, "if God says so, then go."  How will you know?  How can you be sure?  Wait, listen, watch- and then trust.  Wait to hear Holy Spirit, listen to the guidance, watch God's moves in your life, trust Jesus. 

Use this season to explore your thankfulness.  Start with your life, you are blessed with a connection that many people miss.  Many miss their connection with God, and it can result in 'unhope'.  You have hope.  type to you later.

You

Okay, this time look at no one else except you. What are you doing? No,really. What are you doing? Too many times we blame everyone else for everything we can or cannot do. But- what are you doing about it? How are you striving to change your situation? Oh, believe me, no one can hinder all of your trying all of the time. That's all I have - look at your self. Think a plan, make a plan, work it. type to you later.

LIve Life

Why do so many leaders in the church keep the congregation crippled?  It would be so much better to aid in the spiritual transformation of the congregants by teaching and discipling them.  Instead, leaders tend to leave the congregation in the playpen, offering a 'toy' of superficial praise of a job well done or some other acknowledgement.   Why?  Why can't the congregants see it?  What they don't understand can be damaging to them.   They can't see because many of them refuse to believe.  And so they stay in the playpen, never questioning what is beyond the playpen.  And the leaders are fine with that because many of them cannot handle your playpen questions. 

Step out, study, pray, and study again. . And then find someone else to aid you in understanding. You have an awesome opportunity to grow through the adverse conditions you presently find yourself in. There is more, life! Live it fully. type to you later!

Seasons

Don't you love the changing of the seasons?  It enforces that things don't always stay the same.  Don't you think that is an awesome thought?  You see, if everything stayed the sames then there would be no 'newness' of anything.  Enjoy the newness of the new season. Look for the newness in your season.  Cherish the time with God right here, right now, or as Jean-Pierre De Caussade calls it, the "Sacrament of the Present Moment."

In the "Sacrament of the Present Moment," De Caussade also says, “All simple souls must admire and respect one another, saying: 'Let us proceed each one along our path to the same goal, united in purpose and by means of God's order which, in its great variety, is in us all.”  It is a cool way to procede in life and then to be in 'the moment.' 

Do not let another season pass you by.  Shift your focus from 'what was' and 'what will be' to 'what is'.  Watch children how they can shut everything just to enjoy nature.  As adults we have missed the lessons of the present moment, whether good or bad. You see, even when we can be in that moment without running, without hiding, without medicating, then we can see God.  De Caussade says, “God instructs the heart, not by ideas but by pains and contradictions.”  Enjoy each season.  When you press into that season you can find peace by finding God. That's mine. Cherish the moment for each turn on your journey, each change of the season, each moment, and I promise you will find peace. type to you later.

Choose

There is so much wonder in the world.  So much to see, to do, to choose.  That is really the grand idea-choice. We make choices everyday.  So what is the big deal? We can choose to love instead of hate.  We can choose to reach out to another instead of turning away.  We can choose to accept God's love and will instead of fumbling endlessly in turmoil.  We can choose instead of being led.  We can. . .  You see, if we are listening, Holy Spirit will guide us out of and away from strange situations.  Or Holy Spirit will guide us through some rough situations. You see, it was never a promise of ease, but of one you can live with when you follow Holy Spirit's guidance.

So many are hurting because they are afraid to choose life.  Their life has been extremely difficult to this moment and they cannot see beyond their pain, their hurt, their lack of hope.  But it takes one moment to break chains of bondage, it takes one ah ha moment with God and healing begins.  It starts now.  There is so much life available for you, and it begins with your choice to live.  type to you later.

A Time of Wonder

I have spent the last week marveling with the work that God did with those who sought Him.  It was a delightful time of wonder.  And now I continue to watch what God is doing in my life.  You see, it has been a trying time of communicating with those who cannot see or hear what God is doing.  Take time today and watch. . . and obey. type to you later

Get Off

There has been so much going on and I have been trying to make sense of it.  (As best I can).  Let try to explain it.  A few weeks ago I was with my niece in PETCO.  I watched a  hamster running in the wheel.  I have never paid that close attention to watching a hamster running in a wheel.  At one point the hamster finally got off the wheel and came to me.  He appeared to be talking with me.  My niece stated that it was like he was communicating with me.  It was thought provoking.  I told him not to get back on the wheel, but to explore the area around him.  He really appeared to hear me, but then he went back to the wheel, and began running again. 

That was enough right there for me.  The hamster's actions were too much like so many people who continue to do the same thing the same way with the same result.   You get absolutely nowhere.  You may loose a little weight but you gain nothing.  If you risk getting off the wheel and explore where God has you, then you find more of who you are and your purpose.  So much of where so many people are is running.   There are so many aspects of life that causes us to want to stay on the wheel.  Get off, try God.  Explore what is there for  you off the wheel.  I know, running the wheel is safer, but the joy of accomplishment is so much more fulfilling. 

Holy Spirit beckons us everyday to take a chance, to follow His nudge away from the wheel and into the excitement of life.  Go ahead, get off and live!  more to come.  type to you later.