Don't Let Go

Yesterday was a rough day with a part time position. I almost let go. I almost quit. Why? Because petty people got on my nerves.  It is so terribly sad that this awesome season is so misused by arrogant, selfish, petty people who have missed the point of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Let's not leave it there, many believers act the same way.  Oh I know, I was one.  You see, I reacted to the stupidity, so I was wrong also. I should be able to let the love of God shine through me in spite of - in spite of managers who can't manage, in spite of people who have no clue.  I was busy praying for deliverance from that place when my role was to stand. Stand in spite of - stand and watch what God does. Aw But God. After the stupidity I had a quite a few believers who blessed me dearly. That break gave me the chance to regroup and feel the presence of God.  Then I realized that they too are loved.

Why did I share this?  Because the enemy will try to take your joy in so many little ways.  But Holy Spirit can guide you safely through the muck and mire of craziness, of confusion, of doubt, of despair, of __________; you fill in your blank.  There is more. You are more, you are more than conqueror- in all things. The key is to yield- not to temptation of retaliation, but to the will of God for your life. Allow me to use something you have heard before: If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Get back to celebrating the birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus.  It is because of the love God has for you that there is the birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus. And because of that - you have life!  You have life! Live it! Love it! enough for now.

Be Still Again.

To take a step into the rest that God has for you is indeed scary; but offers so much than you can imagine. It is all about moving more into a grander life. Be Still. That is how you start. Go ahead, try it. Take a few minutes to get still, physically, mentally, and invite God into that present moment with you.  Actually you have already been invited into the present moment with God.  You are just accepting the offer. Be still. Keep being still until you can master it. enough for now.

Walk in Truth

How can we get to the resolve of the Shunamite woman?  Throughout her time in scripture she maintained a peace that we all need. Her answer to her pain, her trials- "all is well" or"it's all right"   (2 Kings 4:8-36). We are on the backside of history, of the cross.  We have scripture and Jesus.  We have Holy Spirit to guide us. When we can recognize that our story is wrapped up God's story; when we can realize that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28 NIV); when we can recognize that God has never left us nor forsaken us (Jos. 1:5); then we can rest in the assurance that we can rest, we can have the peace of God.

Yeah it is scary at times; and we tend to believe the lies that swirl around us quicker than the truth about us.  We are indeed more than conquerors. Over whatever! The truth trumps a lie any day. The Truth has Triumphed over all lies, so you can walk today in your truth. Go ahead try him. enough for now.

Rest Now

Yesterday I talked about peace in the midst.  One of the ways that we get weighed down is by the lies that keep us isolated and make us feel abandoned by God.  You know, we all find ourselves bound tight by the ways and craziness of find timing in life.  But that is not what God created for you. You can start today, it is not as difficult as we or even some churches make it to be. Just take the first step- to welcome Holy Spirit. And just rest there until you feel the shalom, the peace of God. You don't need to make an appointment or put it in your schedule. Jus do it now. enough for now.

Peace in the Midst

Do you have peace in the midst of storms? Oh I promise you can.  It is such a reachable goal. Come on, try it. What do you have to lose? You can learn to release by following God's will. That peace is attainable. enough for now.

How I Got Over

And life continues. . . Sometimes it is smooth, sometimes it's rough. But is that it what a journey looks like? Count me among those who would rather have smooth. Oh well. But that is not what it looks like.  I find that when I allow Holy Spirit to guide I have less stress, less worry. So I marvel through the completion of the hard tasks and look back and wonder, "how I got over."

My son just completed an ironman in Cozumel and I marvel at his completing 2.4 miles swim, 114 miles bike, 26 miles run. He trained, he trained his body, his mind, his heart, and relied on God.  My my, again "how I got over."

That old song of my youth, in my church means so much more now as I do wonder, "how I got over, and my soul looks back and wonder, how I got over."

Take time today to look back and realize that you really are not where you were.  Then thank God for your present moment experience as you have an opportunity to rest in God. enough for now.

Where is Your Rain?

Just as rain clears the air, from time to time we need to be cleansed by something.  I traveled to my hometown for a school reunion.  It was not about seeing how people have changed, although we all have done that.  This particular trip was different.  It enabled me to also be a part of a family reunion for a segment of my family.

This trip gave me opportunity to find myself.  To get back to what is important.  The trip allowed me to shake off the mental mud of the junk I encounter and to realize, in a different way, how special God made me. He had a plan long ago, before my birth and I keep that in front o me - even more so now. 

So where is your rain?  It is time for a cleansing, don't you agree? Watch for it.  Don't run from it. Let is wash all over you. enough for now.