Never Alone

I just returned from another trip to Israel.  Each time I travel I learn so much, about the land, about Jesus and His ministry, about me.  This time was no different.  I am presently in such a contemplative period, and I watch to see what God is doing. 

I am clear about my passion for living, and I am clear that many people just don't get it.  I am also clear that to be concerned about whether someone may or may not understand about me is a distraction.  Do you know how hurtful people can be, if you let them? 

While we sojourn in this land, this society, we cannot allow toxic people, places, things to misdirect our our path.  Do not allow yourself to be misdirected from the path that God has laid out.  Yes, it can be a challenge, ah- but it is doable.  Stay the journey.  You are not alone.  You have never been alone.  Spend some time with Psalm 23 today.  Read it, recite it, soak it in.  And then find your place there. type to you later.

Look For It

It has been a contemplative time as I moved into a new year of my life.  I am constantly amazed at how God has allowed me to  grow from what I thought was okay, into more of what He sees for me.  Oh come on,  look at your life.  Check it out.  Where  is God touching you? How is God working in your life?  Oh He is working.  Do you see it?  Look for it! type to you later.

Watch

It has been a whirlwind of a few months, yet I have been able to witness so many awesome aspects of God's wonder in my life. I am so very clear that you can't see what God is doing unless you are actively seeking.  Even as I prepare for my third trip to Israel I marvel what God is doing. 

This morning a mentor and I were talking and a very familiar passage came up.  Let me share with you:  "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 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).  Take some time with that and let's talk later.  As you contemplate, look around you watch what God is doing.  type to you later.

Don't Get Distracted

I watched with surprise as the Washington Redskin football player lost his cool when a Rams player pushed him.  The Redskins player had the ball and was in his rights, the Rams player was in his rights by trying to get the ball (maybe not by the best means).   So all is done, but the Redskins player turned around and threw the ball at the Rams player, who was already walking away.  And a penalty flag went down. That cost the Redskins a 15 yard penalty. The kicker could not make that punt and - game over. 

The rest is history. It has been said that distracted move lost the game- I don't know.  This is now, this is not about that game but how we move.  The Redskins player had the ball.  The idea is to move the ball while keeping possession of the ball. Right?
Along our journey there will be times when life is not fair, times when stuff just does not work properly for us.  There are times when we will be unfairly tripped. It is what it is.  We are to move along the journey staying focused on our individual and collective missions. Right?  If the enemy can distract us, then we may or may not properly move along.  I didn't say all will be lost, we just lose ground.  Can you see it?  At no time are we to back up to fight what we think is going on. It's life.  That player was distracted and lost his cool.  Now he must live with the penalty.  If he is smart, he will learn from it.  What about you?  How will you know when to fight and when to stand? Ah, that is where Holy Spirit as our paraclete comes in.  Listen before you move.  Take care.  type to you later.

Remember

Today, we pause for remembrance of the 9-11 tragedy.  And whether you knew someone, or you didn't- those were real people about what they do.  I have heard that these were heroes.  Not sure if would say that, but they are indeed due our respect.  These were everyday people handling their everyday business-which was their right.  The wrong of a group led by one man violated that right and changed our lives forever. So we are all in this together. 

After the first few days, we were all united, as the years grow us away from that date we appear to have grown from one another.  We are apart of the United States - the key word - united.  So yes,  those hearts, those souls who were violated deserve our prayers as they left behind someone, family, friends, me, you.  We say God Bless America, what does that look like.  I offer that we bless those that walk alone everyday even now with renewed camaraderie in being united. We bless each person with a strong sense of self and of respect for one another.  Blessings!   type to you later.

Give Thanks

Yesterday has come and gone.  My middle grandson has turned 14. Look at God!  I thank God for my son and wife, for my three grandsons, for my sister and family.  For those who have walked with me on my journey. 

How do you celebrate your thanks giving?  What causes you to thank God?  There are so many reasons. Try counting them.

I'm sitting at my desk. Looking out the window.  Searching the overcast sky for glimpses of light.  And considering the glorious possibilities of God for me.
Jeremiah said it best:
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ' The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him'" (Lam. 3:19-24 NIV).

Every day, new mercies. Go get yours. type to you later.

Back To It

I find this season rather hopeful.  You see, the holiday is over and it is back to____ for many people.  You fill in the blank.  I offer that in the 'back to' we have a new day of 'getting to',  getting to a new place, a new hope, a new joy, a new adventure.  Allow this to be such a season for you. Each new day we are afforded God's mercies.  Look for them, look for God's moves in your life-today.  type to you later.