Saturday, October 13, 2012

Seasons

It's what you do with the good season that makes you strong enough for the difficult one.

Are you stuck in a pouring rainstorm? You know, the kind of rain that blows sideways and ruins the trees in your backyard? Or are you relaxing in the middle of a sunny beach listening to the ocean waves and soaking up the summer breeze? Maybe you're just enjoying the nice fall weather and you're somewhere in the middle.

Stop and think about whatever season you're in, and let's talk. First, let me remind you oh so honestly that God is constant. He does not change. Ever. Isn't that the best news you've heard all day? What he said thousands of years ago is still just as true today, so you can believe his promises--every single one. Open up that Bible and read it! All kind of wisdom and life-secrets are in there, and free for the taking! :)

So what season are you in? 

A good season- What are you doing today to prepare for hard days? This is your chance to load the ammo, fill up your cup, and stockpile Ramen noodles. The way I prepare for these harder seasons is with fanatic discipline. I could make a goal to run a marathon next week, but if I don't train for weeks and months, I'd probably only get 10 miles in before I quit. Am I right? A long, slow, walk is going to take me much farther. Do you need to read the Bible every morning? Meet with an accountability partner every week? What is it? If God is a part of your life every day, you're not going to wake up in a hard season and suddenly forget him. God is constant, and we should strive to be like him. Start now, and don't just pray to him when you're in trouble. He wants to to talk to you all the time. For heavens sake, I tell him jokes, ask him about my groceries, and then pray for miracles and complete healing from life-threatening illnesses. Nothing is off-limits!

A difficult season- What are you doing to remember God's faithfulness? Are you marching on each day with constant love and trust in the God that never leaves you? What are you learning? Allow this time to help your heart to grow. What a blessing! If you never had hard times, you'd never have an opportunity to grow your trust in God! If we are only happy in the good times, where is the fun in that? It's in the hard times that you have a chance to prove that what you say is true, and that you really are who you say that you are. Believe it or not, I've learned to pray for these hard seasons in life, because they have made me into a much more beautiful person in every way, stretching me to be more flexible, loving, kind, generous, understanding, and thankful than every before.

"Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted." -Ephesians 4:30



Monday, October 8, 2012

God. Is. Love.

God rarely works on my time table, but he is never, ever late. He cares about the small things, but he takes care of the big things too. He kept our family safe during a house robbery, and then returned one of our computers to us 2 months later the day after we began our search for a new one. I guess you might say, "it's just a computer," but it wasn't. To us it was a shoebox of memories: Truett's pictures and videos, college photos, old poems and papers, wedding footage, and lots of photos we had taken for clients. It was important to us. Who is this God? The almighty king of kings, the great I am, the messiah of the world, a healer, a comforter...and he cared about our computer?

My God is one thing--love. His blessings are too great and his love too high. Everything I receive from him above forgiveness I consider a bonus. And when he said, "Do not worry?" He meant it.

This kind man called us on the phone today. He bought an iMac off of Craigslist and it had not been wiped. He thought it seemed fishy so he began calling people in the address book...and found Jonathan. What are odds? Someone buying it, calling about it, then being so kind and willing to just give it up and take a loss?! No way! That's one in a million. We're going to pay him back, of course, but I couldn't believe it...but then again I kinda can, because that's just what God does for us. He really does take care of our EVERY need and he always has. What's funnier to me is that I'm even surprised. Why did I doubt? And when I say that, I truly mean it. Where can I begin? How many stories should I tell? I could write a book about God's blessings in our house. Maybe I just will. I am blessed and highly favored. Praise be to my God, for the wonderful things he has done!

GOODnight:)

"Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalm 50:15 NLT)

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Teach Me

Father in heaven, may I become more undistracted by this world and attracted to your love, that even on my busiest day, your still, small voice rings the loudest.
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