what will you do with the 242

That’s how many days are left with this year.

I have been busy counseling, consoling, mourning, and encouraging others in their faith walk this week as another client senselessly died of an overdose.

He had been doing so well. He had completely turned his life around, and had done a 180.

Then, after many, many months sober, he dies.

Shocking.

Heartbreaking.

Devastating .

Confusing.

Angry and sad all at the same time.

These were the feelings many processed this week me included and will continue to in the days ahead.

Yet, God cares for us all and all our feelings.

Perhaps a few bad days led to one bad decision to use which cost him the ultimate sacrifice of his life.

I wish I could have helped him that last day he was here on earth.

So, again I ask what will you do with the 242?

Learn to number your days.

Use your time wisely as it truly is our greatest commodity.

Counsel others if need be.

Console and mourn.

But, above all else, encourage others in their faith walk as that is the only thing we can take with us to heaven – others’ souls who join the fold.

Find your purpose.

Live it out loudly.

And, help others come to the knowledge of needing a relationship with Christ as Savior.

Then you will…

be.the.church

If you are struggling with addiction, please seek help. We were made for community and God desires none should perish without knowing Him so get yourself into a faith based recovery program and start walking in sobriety today.

If you are a family member of someone needing help, don’t enable their habits; get them help. Call adult and teen challenge or see what faith based program is in your local area.

Addiction is no joke and people are dying out there so take any cry for help serious.

Also, don’t ever feel you can’t ask for help; there is always someone willing to listen. Me for starters. Been helping those in their recovery walk for close to 3 decades and am willing to listen to your story, pray with you, and help you win what can be the daily battle of sobriety. Take it one day at a time.

The song “One day at a time sweet Jesus” sums up our walk this side of heaven regardless if you are steeped in addiction or just plain sin. May we day to day live out what God has called us to do fulfilling our mission one day at a time.

treasures of the sea

It has been said that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I would say this is true for beach combers. Some are there to gather shells, others for drift wood, and still others for seaglass.

Some prefer running or walking at or on the beach with no time to spare to look at what they are passing. Others are there solely to see whose passing by as they propel watch. Some come just for the sake of cleaning up the litter others left behind.

What’s your ideal beach day?

Let us know in the comments and let us know when your next beach day may be? If you don’t live near a shoreline, get out in another nature setting.

Whatever you fancy don’t miss the treasures nature has to offer and the sea has so many. I am constantly amazed at the creativity of our Lord and if we think about the depths of the sea, we can not fathom His love or what all is still in there to be discovered.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3.18

Seek the treasure of God’s love and…

be.the.church

may today be..

May today be…

a good one.

May you be kind and sweet talking positive and pleasant.

May you be patient and loving giving grace and mercy.

May you shine bright and be an example that others can clearly see and understand what a Christ follower is/does.

May you be so full of Jesus and rooted in the Word that there is no mistaking who you belong to and whose you are.

May you be a picture of spring with joy in your heart and a skip in your walk.

Happy day to you – happy May Day.

May Day brings fun memories to mind. How about for you?

I am not quite sure how the tradition started (assuming something pagan), but my mom had us kids pick flowers from the cow fields, ring neighbors’ doorbells; then drop them usually in green cardboard strawberry containers and run.

I remember being so excited to do this sneaky venture that I could not sleep the night before. My kids carried the tradition on, but usually with bought flowers in glass vases or baskets. Sadly, I do believe this sweet custom is fading.

But, Happy May Day anyway!

Traditionally, May Day would be as one would think the first day of May, but now it is observed the first Monday in May as an official holiday for many countries. There could be spring time festivals on this day (obviously solely in the northern hemisphere where it is spring’s beginnings) or it is an international day honoring workers (aka the labor force) as what Labor Day in the United States observes.

Whatever you do today, may it be a good one.

But more importantly, may you be shining so bright for our Lord today that others will truly see you…

be.the.church

and want to become apart of the family of Christ.

May today be that kind of day for you.

Whatever you find to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9.10 paraphrase)

be the hope for the hopeless

I was coming out of a sandwich shoppe and met ‘Michael’. He had a coat on that was a little too warm for the weather. He needed to shave, but appeared well kept. He had a hiker’s backpack I imagine stuffed with all his belongings.

And he asked me for some spare change or dollars. I don’t often carry cash, but I never look away when someone asks.

I asked if he was hungry and I believe he honestly answered when he said: “Always.” I said I would share the sandwich I just bought and went to my car to take out half for him. I also had a few other edible items in the trunk including a self opening can of Chef Boyardee which I told him he could eat right out of the can and it didn’t even need heating up. He told me he has done that with Campbell’s chicken soup.

I asked his name and told him mine. I wish I had more time to go back in line and get him whatever he wanted. I wish I could have stayed to talk longer with him and hear his story. I wish I had prayed with him.

I gave him an invite card to church with the upcoming service times.

I hoped he would come, but I was glad I stopped and offered a little hope to someone whom seemed hopeless waiting on the mercy of a passerby.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”*

Be ready to make a difference.

Be the hope for the hopeless and you will…

be.the.church

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25.40

*Mahatma Mohandas Ghandi

don’t pass them by

You are at a stop light and someone is there with a sign. They are hungry and cold. You feel guilty as you drive on by. I say have a few things ready you can hand out. Maybe stash a water bottle or self opening can good in your door compartment. Granola or protein bars are good options too. You could even have Ziploc bags or shoe boxes made up ready with all of the above plus some hygiene items and include a tract or small Bible. I like to give out cards with my church name, address, and service times. Who knows that person on the street may just be your next sister or brother in Christ.

If you have time, stop and buy a hot meal or coffee. If traveling in a city for work, vacay, or just the day, grab some burgers off a fast food dollar menu or have spare snacks in your bag ready to remove your guilt and meet a need.

Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You? ’ “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’” Matthew 25:35-40 HCSB

If we want the world to be a better place, we need to…

be.the.church

For people need the Lord, don’t pass them by. Your kindness and small offering may just be the seed to give them hope.

dress your best

Growing up dressing up for church was more of a show than learning to respect the house of God. It was Sunday suits and ties for the boys, ribbons and curls for the girls. Of course, Easter would be new bonnets and clothes. Christmas might be this as well.

But, I did not learn that just as we can grow out of last year’s digs, we should be continually growing to be our best for the Lord.

Growing up it was more about the outward appearance then the status of your inner man.

That came later in life for me and I am more and more convinced that setting an example is so much more important than what you wear on the body.

How can you dress your best for the Lord?

Your speech should be seasoned.

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4.6 NASB

You should exhibit self control.

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self control.” Proverbs 25.28

You should yield your rights and not seek your own way.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself”. Philippians 2.3

You should stick up for those unable to do so for themselves.

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31.8+9

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1.27

You should look evil in the eye and boldly proclaim: Not today, Satan!

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4.17

Dress modestly; speak kindly; and be your best one self.

In doing so, others truly will see you…

be.the.church

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3.12

Don’t be that kid who never grows up and just is spiritually immature and a fat little baby…

throwing away the cactus

It had been over four years and long past it’s time needing to be repotted. I had gotten small grow your own plant kits after the passing of my dad and gave them to all the nieces and nephews. I also grew some plants with clients and planted three seeds myself. Two cacti grew with one surviving these many years later. Then a period of three plus weeks of on and off traveling and the poor plant shriveled up and died. I had already killed the lilies and greens I had kept for several years after his passing. This plant was the last stitch of life tied to that dark time. I actually felt a little guilt as I threw the plant away almost like I had failed my father some how. I was sad as that plant had made me smile so often thinking of the good times with him. But the death of that plant reminded me of his slow death that ended similarly to how the cactus dehydrated, shriveled, and with no life left to give, died. But, the story doesn’t end there. There is hope in knowing death for the Christian is not the end. We will see our loved ones again.

And that is what this blessed season brings – hope! Just last week, we celebrated Resurrection Sunday.

The fact that Jesus died is glorious knowing He became the sinless sacrifice atoning for us. But, of course, the story doesn’t end there; it is just the beginning. His death birthed life for us eternally when He came out of that grave.

So don’t worry too much about things passing away here on earth, if you know Jesus as Lord, you will join Him in heaven with all the saints that have gone before.

What a glorious hope!

Thank You, Jesus

Spread the hope and…

be.the.church

walking

With all the exercise fads that come and go, the experts say walking is the best exercise especially when you consistently do it 3 to 5 times a week for at least 20 to 30 minutes at a brisk pace to get your heart rate up.

I think my dog would like to do this 3 to 5 times a day!

The benefits of walking are endless: mood booster, body slimmer, cholesterol reducer, blood pressure helper, and disease fighter.

So…

get out there and walk!

Do so ever day and you will not only see a transformation of body and soul, but your memory function will be improved and your overall health enhanced.

That got me thinking about our Christian ‘walk.’

How do you ‘exercise’ your faith? What are you doing to improve and enhance your spiritual health?

Are you in the word 3 to 5 times a week? Or, better yet 3 to 5 times a day!

Are you finding yourself walking into church often? Or do you pick the days it is raining or you didn’t sleep in to attend services?

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 HCSB

How about connecting with God by praying and talking to Him?

All these things will help us grow in faith and have our Christian walk be something for others to see and imitate.

So, how is your walk?

What can you do today to be ‘walking‘ for our Lord?

Are you living in such a way that others are seeing your love for God daily in how you ‘walk’ and talk?

Keep walking, friends; fighting the good fight so others can see you…

be.the.church

“I…urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 HCSB

“…walk as children of light” Ephesians 5.8

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5.25

boastful prayers

Why do some want acknowledgement for the things they do?

Loud, boastful prayers in public grate on me. May we be people that spend more time in private with our Lord then some who only want recognition when heard by others who hear their prayers instead of The One who answers them!

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:6 NIV

Watch this powerful prayer ‘closet’ scene and be inspired to know the Holy Spirit is indeed working behind the scenes…

If you have not yet seen this movie in its entirety, please do and create your own ‘war’ room space.

Here’s the ‘heart’ of the movie…

God desires us to have a personal relationship with Him daily. I would even say He would be delighted if hourly we connected with Him.

Here’s a practical idea: every time you look at a clock to see the time, say a breath prayer.

We do not need to be on our knees for hours on end, although that is a great place to be. But, we should be connecting with God all through our waking hours.

Instead of engaging in boastful prayers, try applying these verses each and every day, each and every hour:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

autocorrect

Have you ever had trouble with the autocorrect feature? I have more times then I care to remember.

Together becomes Tiger

Put becomes Out

Dear becomes Dead

NP (short for no problem) to NO (giving the exact opposite meaning)

If/Of or Of/If

This to Thus or Thus to This

Were to We’re or We’re to Were

And the list can go on.

You get the picture and I am sure you can add more to the list (do so in the comments and make us smile).

Sometimes swear words even appear so I am glad I usually catch them.

The worst is when you type something in all CAPS once and all future times you use this word it autocorrects to that.

I do wish there was a retrieve button or option to delete a text once it is sent like in other apps.

Autocorrect got me thinking as it relates to our spiritual lives.

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you know our spirit should be in autocorrect mode.

Say something or do something wrong, we should immediately repent.

This will show the world we are different. Still human and have sin to contend with, but also, have a heart after God willing to make up for the things we do wrong.

Get your autocorrect on and in tune with the way the Lord desires us to be living, breathing examples of His love and grace.

Lie admit it right then,

rude ask for forgiveness right then,

take something that doesn’t belong to you, go back and pay or return the item right then.

You get the picture and I am sure you can add more to this list too.

Wouldn’t it be a great if there was a way we could rewind the last few seconds and delete the words or actions we did?

Strive to stop the incorrect before you need to seek the autocorrect.

If need be, forgive and apologize. That is how to…

be.the.church

Keep your life on autocorrect or more like autopilot while you let Jesus take the wheel.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lydBPm2KRaU

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4.7

*please don’t take offense, it was an autocorrect joke but know I desire that none should perish into the everlasting lake of fire and hell is no joking matter – if I receive one comment that the media should be removed, I will do it!