look for the silver lining

Ever have one of those days?

It feels like a Monday kind of day, but it is not. It feels like a dark and dreary type day, but it is not. Things are not going your way so, you have a choice: stay in the funk or look for the silver lining.

This week seems to be a week full of Mondays!

I was in traffic with accidents and rain thinking I would be early to work, but barely made it on time.

College student in the house couldn’t do homework since we lost power and the internet went down with the outage.

A friend got up at 3:30 in the morning and left for the airport at 4:15, boarded a plane for a scheduled departure time of 6:00am….

and after over an hour delay, missed connection flight so had to take a detour.

Our days don’t always go as planned. But no matter, as there is always a silver lining to find!

What silver linings am I choosing to celebrate today?

That I was safe and not involved in one of the many accidents I passed.

That there was a local restaurant where their WiFi could be used for the night to get assignments in.

That my friend was traveling alone because detours and delays are much easier to manage when there aren’t tired kiddos in the mix. There was even a Starbucks to grab a nice warm cup of coffee to enjoy while the wait was on and amazingly all the passengers were rerouted to get to their final destinations.

Praise God for all these provisions.

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may rejoice in You.” Psalms 5:11 NIV

Be grateful today.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5.16-18

Have you had a week of Mondays or know someone who has?

If so, what silver linings can you find to celebrate today?

When we find them, we have the opportunity to introduce or bring joy into what might be a dismal or disappointing situation.

Look for the silver lining as you strive to…

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And since it is the month of thanks for many around the world, look for ways you can be grateful each and every day. When you do, I bet you will find lots of silver linings.

a great story

Not sure where this originated. I first heard it in a sermon. Then, saw it in a post. Now I use it in ministry.

As Proverbs 17.22 says: “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” So, here’s a dose for you:

An elderly man lived alone.

He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, since the ground was hard.

His only son Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison.

The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Vinny,

I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year.

I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot.

I know if you were here my troubles would be over.

I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.

Love, Pops

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Pop,

Don’t dig up that garden.

That’s where the bodies are buried.

Love,

Vincenzo

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies.

They apologized to the old man and left.

That same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Pop,

Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now.

That’s the best I could do under the circumstances.

Love you,

Vinny

What are you doing under the circumstances you find yourself in?

How can you improve your situation?

How can you make life easier for another?

What can you do for another even when it looks like there is nothing you can do?

Be a Vincent and use creativity and ingenuity to keep life alive and interesting for those closest to you.

Have fun!

Make fun!

Be fun!

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go fish

Dr. Seuss’ famous book One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish tells the story of a boy named Jay and his friend named Kay who have many amazing creatures as pets.

God is so creative. Even in the telling of this children’s rhyming book, we are reminded of God’s beautiful imagination that came to pass in all the creatures we can enjoy on earth.

When I think of fish, though, I also think how we are to be ‘fishers’ of men and help others come to an understanding of the saving grace of Christ.

How are you doing ‘fishing’ for men?

Have you ‘caught’ one fish or two fish or a red or a blue fish?

It doesn’t matter the color of the hair or skin, all people need to know about Jesus. To know Jesus and to make Him known is the key and our purpose this side of heaven.

Keep ‘fishing’ for Jesus is how you can…

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until the whole world knows.

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4.19

Photo credit: endriqstudio at pixabay

not my story

I often will tell others when they ask about another that it is not my story to tell. This is a good policy to give respect to others especially your children. What you think is cute or profound could make them feel embarrassed or violated when they are not given the heads up or option of you not sharing.

Bottomline: Don’t share others’ stories unless you get permission.

This even goes for good news others have to share!

Someone just got engaged or found out they are having a baby, don’t steal their thunder. Keep your lips sealed and let them have the joy of sharing their good news.

Ok, I am off my salt box now and it really has nothing to do with the following except a catchy blog title to say the story below is not my story.

It was a shared post on someone’s fb page and I don’t even know who originated it to give them credit, but thought it was too good not to share. Enjoy and apply its truths.

“I was at the grocery store and heard a loud crash and something shattering. Being nosy, I walked towards the sound and saw some people whispering and looking back to the end of the next aisle.

When I walked down that aisle, I saw an older lady had hit a shelf containing dishes with her cart and many had fallen to the ground and broke.

She was kneeling on the floor embarrassed, frantically picking up the shattered pieces, while her husband was peeling off the bar code from each broken dish saying ‘Now we will have to pay for all this!’

I felt so bad for her, and everyone was just standing there staring at her! I went and knelt beside her and told her not to worry and started helping her pick up the broken pieces.

After about a minute, the store manager came and knelt beside us and said, ‘Leave it, we will clean this up. Let’s get your information so you can go to the hospital and have that cut on your hand looked at.’

The lady, totally embarrassed said, ‘I need to pay for all this first.’

The manager smiled, helped her to her feet and said, ‘No ma’am, we have insurance for this, you do not have to pay anything!’

For you who have read this so far, I would like you to take a minute. Wherever you are, close your eyes, and imagine God doing the same for you!

Collect the pieces of your broken heart from all the blows life has thrown at you.

God will heal all your wounds, and I assure you that your sins and mistakes will be forgiven.

You see, we all have the same insurance, and it’s called grace.

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and ask for forgiveness, the Manager of the universe, God, will say to you ‘Everything has already been paid for, now go on your way, all is forgiven!'”

And I say a big loud and proud amen! What’s your take away from the story? How can you share with others so they can be less embarrassed, less frazzled, and feel more of God’s love?

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Be His hands and feet extended as that lady was in the grocery aisle helping the poor women with the mess she made. We can all have messes from time to time, but aren’t you glad God is always there to pick up the pieces. Again, I say amen!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5.16

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema Unsplash app

a new heaven and a new earth

It is coming and we can have hope.

New Heaven, New Earth

“Christianity is a Gospel of crisis. It proclaims unmistakably that this world’s days are numbered. Every graveyard and every cemetery testify that the Bible is true. Our days on this planet are numbered. The Apostle James says that life is only a vapor that appears for a moment and then vanishes (James 4:14). The prophet Isaiah says that our life is like the grass that withers and the flower that fades (Isaiah 40:6,7).

There is no doubt that nations also come to an end when they have ceased to fulfill the function that God meant for them. The end will come with the return of Jesus Christ. He will set up a kingdom of righteousness and social justice where hatred, greed, jealousy, and death will no longer be known. That is why a Christian can be an optimist. That is why a Christian can smile in the midst of all that is happening. We know what will come. We know what the end will be: the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Daily Prayer:

While the world around me is in such turmoil, Your peace lives in my heart, as I look for Your triumphant return!”*

Yes, a new heaven and a new earth will be in our future if we trust Jesus as Lord. Help others come to the saving knowledge of Christ so they too can belong to the family of believers that make up the church.

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till the whole world knows Jesus then the end will come.

*Billy Graham

International Day of Prayer

“Join Christians around the world [today] for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church — a global prayer meeting for our Christian brothers and sisters who boldly witness for Christ at any cost.”*

Every first Sunday in November is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It is said that today in history is the worse time yet for Christians as it is the most persecuted religious group in the world.

I personally know missionaries in dangerous spots in the world. I, too, recently on a mission was in an unstable nation. Tides can change quickly with corruption at the core and missionary can turn martyr in a heartbeat.

Today, lift up those you know and those you don’t that are risking their lives for the sake of Christ. Pray God intervenes and saves His remnant everywhere in the world where there is a witness for Him.

Today your task to…

be.the.church

is to commit to pray then pray some more. It is not the European church it American church or persecuted church – it is one church, one body if believers, with one mission to know Jesus and to make His kingdom known. Pray for the church – as we are the church and are called to…

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“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…” 1 Timothy 2.1

*from the Voice of Martyrs website https://www.persecution.com/idop/?_source_code=WEBI19J2

Go to the site and watch the shirt film on North Korea. May we pray for those behind the country’s borders to find Jesus and be spared persecution.

the harvest is plentiful

“The harvest is full but the workers are few.” Matthew 9.37

The Lord of the harvest says to you: Go out into the fields, the highways, and byways. Find those that don’t know Me and invite them into My house.

The harvest is plentiful, what will you do about it? Be a labourer for our Lord. Bring others into the fold so they too can…

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Photo credit: congrrdesign @ pixabay

the marching turkeys

Although stores are overly decorated for Christmas which used to not be until after Thanksgiving or December 1, this day marks the beginning of the thankful month. Take time to write out the things you are grateful for, take a thanksgiving inventory, and tell others in your life what makes you thankful for them. Don’t be a turkey, give thanks.

And now a poem for you to ponder, savor, and apply:

The Marching Turkeys

There they go marching by. Not a care in the world knowing their next meal comes from God on high.

Peeking and prodding in a rafter they go. Marching and marching head to toe.

Sometimes in groups of 2 or 4 but I have seen 20, sometimes even more.

God is The Creator that gave life to these birds and they remind me how we need to be heard.

Are we marching on in the Lord’s army or are we on the sidelines content to just be?

We need to do more as our days are coming to an end. Make sure all you know take Jesus as friend.

So, you go on marching with the orders at hand until you hear: ‘It is finished’ and enter the heavenly land.

Then, for you, not a worry to bear and for us an example of how important it is to share.

So, go now share our faith and plea if need be because I for one don’t want any others not to be free.

I know that is your desire too so do all you can to help others have a breakthrough.

Don’t be a turkey and just go marching along – make sure all you know to the kingdom belong.

———

That is how to…

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mediums, ouija boards, palm readers, and the likes

Some believe they are the answer to understanding the ‘spirit’ world. Some believe they can contact their long lost loved one. And still others think that they are a god-send.

I disagree on all accounts and let me tell you why.

First, don’t tune me out or stop reading. If you found this site from a tag or search, don’t doubt that you are suppose to be here right now reading this. If you are skeptical or offended or anything in-between, please read on and at least comment. It is perfectly okay for us to disagree. But, it is not okay to voice your opinion until after you have read mine so here it is with scripture to back it up.

Satan is a liar, deceiver, and comes to kill and destroy all that God desires for us. He does not want us to serve God. He does not want us to rely on God. He wants us to seek other means and not fully put our trust in God alone. Mediums, ouija boards, palm readers, and the likes are part of his plan to draw us away from God.

There is so much the world has to offer. But, we must remember a temporary fix is not the answer.

How can we…

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if we don’t fully rely on God and stand on truth found in scripture?

Seek the full life God intends for us without seeking mediums.

God warns us what will happen if we do.

He says in Leviticus 20.6:

“I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them. I will cut him off from his people.”

Don’t rely on an imposter, go to The Source of all knowledge and wisdom for answers and peace.

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord.”1 Chronicles 10.13-14

Remember:

“The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life – indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” John 10.10

So when you are in need of counsel, seek God’s wisdom found in the Bible for God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. (Paraphrase Psalm 119:105)

Go to Him directly for counsel, wisdom, and peace. He will not disappoint, rather the spirit world will, as satan and his demons attempt to draw you away from God not closer.

Remember this as God said in 2 Chronicles 7.14: “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Let God do the healing and guiding!

go to the funeral

Yesterday I went to a funeral. I had been out of the office for several weeks and needed to be at a staff meeting, but I chose the funeral instead.

It might be inconvenient. It might be hard. You might be tired and had a long week or day. But, think of those who lost a loved one and go to the funeral.

Your presence says: I care, I am here for you, and I grieve alongside of you.

No long speech is neccessary. No advice needs to be said. Actually, the less said the better. A simple: “I am so sorry for your loss” will suffice.

Our Lord understood loss. The shortest verse in the Bible says: “Jesus wept.“ John 11.35

It may be short, but says so much.

He wept with His friends who were sad over the loss of their brother.

He wept because He loved them and He loved Lazarus whom passed away even though He knew He would raise him back up.

He wept knowing His coming feat of dying on the cross so that we could be saved was at hand soon.

He wept over the lives that wouldn’t accept Him.

Our Lord is filled with compassion, tenderheartedness, and love for us all. We should be the same for those struggling with loss.

There is a Swedish proverb that says: “Shared joy is a double joy. Shared sorrow is half sorrow.”

Half someone’s sorrow by going to the funeral.

You will be a pillar of hope, love, and peace as you offer your presence.

Going to the funeral show others how you…

be.the.church

Look back at this post for more tips on funeral going: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/05/31/funeral-clothes/

Here’s another post worth reading or rereading: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/05/11/weddings-and-funerals/