By Design

1 Corinthians 1 ¹⁰ I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

We are created to be unique and different by design.  Gods design; Gods plan; For Gods work.

God gave us each unique talents and abilities so that we may work together for the good of all.  My strength is your weakness.  My weakness is your strength.  My time is your time.  Your time is my time. We need each other to navigate through life.  

Together we are so much stronger than if we stand alone. God created us to need each other and to work together in harmony for his purpose.

Yet, we spend a lot of time trying to complete tasks and deal with issues by ourselves. When we recognize that we need help, we are often hesitant to ask, because of pride, or because we don’t want to be a burden.  Most people I know stand ready and willing to help and do not consider it a burden at all.  

During a recent visit to our local Target store, I observed a young women in line at the adjacent checkout counter struggling with trying to put her items from her cart up on the counter, while she managed her two young children crying and wiggling to get free. The woman standing in line behind her stepped up and said “let me help you with that” and proceeded to put the items on the counter for her while she calmed her precious babies. This may seem like a minor event, not worthy of consideration, but I think it is a perfect example of how two working together made that moment in life that much easier for that young woman and her children.

Life is made up of moments like this.  Small acts cascade and can create great results.

When two or more of us work together we can accomplish so much more and God is with us every step of the way.  This is no coincidence.  It is by God’s perfect plan by design. 

Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT) ¹⁹ “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. ²⁰ For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”  Helen Keller

“Coming together is the beginning; keeping together is progress; staying together is success” Henry Ford

A Child Was Born

Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV)   

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold,^[a] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”^[b]

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely^[c] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

When God sent the angels to deliver the message of our Savior’s birth, he did not have the message delivered to the King, a scholar or other high authority in the land.  He had the message delivered to the faithful lowly shepherds tending their sheep in the field.  

When God chose Mary to give birth to his only son and for she and Joseph to be his earthly parents and raise him, he did not select the wealthiest most famous people in the land.  

God selects average, everyday, humble, hard-working, faithful people like you and me to do his work.  He relies on each of us as good shepherds to deliver his messages and stand ready for any task, large or small.  Fame and fortune are meaningless in heaven; humility and faith are priceless.  

You are chosen by Him to spread the good word of our Saviors birth.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.  

May God pour out his rich blessings on you today and everyday throughout the new year. 

Merry Christmas!  

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Matthew 19:13-15 (NKJV)

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³ Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” ¹⁵ And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Jesus loves the little children and watches over them. He blesses them in their innocence and beauty, living life so trusting and faithful. This makes it is so difficult to understand how God could let something bad happen to little children.  

How could he allow a young man to go on a rampage and kill 20 children at school, a place where they felt safe from harm?  I am devastated by this news and my heart is filled with sorrow for this senseless tragedy that I don’t understand. I am at a loss for words, and all I can do today is pray. 

Dear Lord, 

There are many things that we do not understand in this life and most likely never will until we come home to you. Father, please hold close to you the families in Newtown Connecticut as they grieve with pain and confusion for the loss of their beautiful, innocent children and dedicated teachers.  I know that the 26 people who lost their lives here on earth are with you now, taken from us all too soon. Please Father,  fold the families and friends of these victims into your loving arms and comfort them in their grief.  Help us to come together as a community of God to support them.  Though we are hurting and sad, we thank you humbly for your love and many blessings.  Amen    

His Grace is Sufficient

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (TNIV) ⁷ Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This is a beautiful, yet difficult lesson to learn from the apostle Paul.  

There are times in life when each of us have a thorn lodged in our flesh. It may be an addiction, an illness, a stressful job, an unhappy marriage, a mountain of debt or a chronic injury. With God’s help our conditions can improve, but the thorn may remain as a gentle painful reminder that without the power of God in our lives, we are nothing. It is by His grace alone that we can be free of addiction, illness, injury and stress and find joy in living free of worry. 

This time of year about nineteen years ago, I told God that he gave me too much to handle. Within a period of three months, we experienced the Northridge earthquake, were overwhelmed with debt and lost our only son, Austin Patrick. With certainty, God got my attention, but angry and hurt I turned my  back on him for a long while.  I chose unhealthy and destructive behaviors to try to remove the thorn in my flesh, but the pain only got worse. 

Thankfully God never turned his back on me. It is when I turned around to face him, I saw the warm face of a loving Father that I could trust and he took away most of the pain. It was through my weakness that God took me on a journey to make me stronger. I still get twinges and tweaks of pain and weakness especially this time of year, but they serve as bittersweet reminders of His grace and love.  

If you have a thorn in your flesh, God may be trying to get your attention, to teach you something and gracefully guide you back to the path he has set for you.  

These thorns can create bumps in the road and some are clearly bigger than others. There is an excellent book written by Warren W. Wiersbe,  called “The Bumps Are What You Climb On”.  In the book he illustrates that the most successful people in life have learned how to use these bumps to climb on; to see over the top of the hardship and climb even higher. 

Today, delight in your weakness and difficulties knowing that God will use this time to make you strong.  His grace IS sufficient for you. 

“As footsteps tread a path of grace that lights the way ahead, the smile upon your Saintly face across my life is spread.”   Brian Harris

 

Gift Giving

James 1:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

As we enter the season of buying or making gifts to give to one another during the holidays I can’t help but think about the unconditional gifts that God gives to each of us and those he is storing to give to us when we ask and are ready to receive them. God asks for and does not expect anything in return except for our faith, gratitude, love and trust in him and that we attempt to learn and follow his word and pray. That may sound like a lot, but truly it is not in comparison to other places we put our energy.   

When you think about it, our health, our homes, our jobs, our families, our friends and all of the beauty on this earth is a perfect gift from God.  He has given us the gift of life and free will.  

I believe that God wants us to give to one another as he gives to us. He may call us to give money and food to those in need, but he may also call us to give the precious gift of time, a reassuring comment, a loving hug, a forgiving word or to simply share a meal. Even though the tradition is to exchange gifts during the holidays, the truest form of giving is without want or expectation of anything in return. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT - ⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”^[a] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

As you shop for the perfect gift for your loved ones, take a few minutes to give thanks for the blessed and generous gifts you have received from our Father and then give as he has given to you, unconditionally and with a cheerful heart!  

Here are some beautiful quotes on this subject: 

“Love the giver, not the gift”  Brigham Young

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver” Maya Angelou

May God bless you today and everyday with the wonders of his love and all the perfect gifts he has in store for you.  Happy Holidays!

Come To Me

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)  ²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

No matter which position she tried, Linda could not get comfortable or go back to sleep. She  rolled from one side to the other; from her stomach and then to her back.  She kicked off the covers feeling too warm and suffocating. As she lay on her back she read the numbers on the clock projected on the ceiling directly above her.  1:35am.  Here I go again she thought as she lay wide-awake trying to quiet the activity in her brain. 

Her husband slept peacefully next to her. Through the crack in the window shade she could see a dense fog and mist lingering close to the ground.  Normally the fog was comforting like a warm blanket, but tonight it felt stifling.  She felt  a heaviness in her chest as she tried to breathe.  

The conversation with her boss earlier that day did not go well.  The promotion that she was promised would be delayed for another year!  She was counting on that raise and felt cheated after putting in long hours, at times at the expense of spending time with her husband Paul and her daughter Jenny.  

Though she had the day off tomorrow there was no time to rest.  Linda mentally walked through her schedule worried that she would forget something.  She had a job interview in the morning at nine and then had to take Paul to the hospital for tests at noon.  She would pick up Jenny from school at two-thirty and meet the appraiser at the house at three.  While making dinner she would finish Jenny’s costume for the school play at six.  Her head and body ached. 

What if she can’t pay all of the bills this month? What if she is late for her interview appointment? What if they don’t like her? When will we get the final results on Paul’s tests? What if it is something serous? What if the bank doesn’t approve the refinance on their home?  What if Jenny’s costume doesn’t turn out?  What if she were to just stay in bed and forget the whole thing?

Dear God she prayed with tears forming in the corners of her eyes.  Please help me.  I need some sleep and I need your help to make it through the day tomorrow.  The burden is too heavy, she slurred as she finally and mercifully drifted off to sleep... 

Life isn’t perfect and some days, weeks and months are better than others.  At times we can become overwhelmed and may just feel like giving up.  God gives us the perfect perspective and quite often things look different in the light of the dawn. God is our supplier of strength and courage to walk through the challenging times in life and he will make the way perfect if only we let him.  

I pray that you will let God carry your burdens and give you strength.

Psalm 18:32-36 NLT

³² God arms me with strength,
    and he makes my way perfect.
³³ He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
    he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
³⁵ You have given me your shield of victory.
    Your right hand supports me;
    your help has made me great.
³⁶ You have made a wide path for my feet
    to keep them from slipping

Give Thanks

1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT 34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever!

Growing up, our family had a tradition that before saying grace over our Thanksgiving feast, each person had to present at least one thing for which they were personally grateful. I am grateful for my job said one family member who had been unemployed for a period of time. I am grateful for my health said another who had just recovered from a serious illness. I am grateful for a roof over my head, said my cousin who had just purchased her first home. I am grateful for my family, I am grateful for this food, I am grateful for our freedom, I am grateful that we are all here together and on it went and at the end we said the Lord’s prayer. 

It is sad that we truly don’t appreciate the gifts of life until we become at risk of losing them or do lose them.  

I pray for the people who have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy especially those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes and for so many who are still without power today. I pray for the people in the midst of the wars in the middle east, where bombs explode destroying homes, taking lives and making families homeless leaving them to live in fear.  I also pray for all who are fighting illness or injury, who mourn the loss of loved ones, who are homeless and for people who find themselves alone and lonely.  I pray for the members of our the military and especially for the many who are away from their families during the holiday.  

Colossians 3:15 NLT 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

This week, I challenge you to write a personal gratitude list. Take a long hard look around you and write down 10 things that you are truly and passionately grateful for and read your list at the Thanksgiving table.  It doesn’t matter if you are eating a TV dinner alone or at a large family gathering.  Read your list aloud with thankfulness. 

I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to write this blog and I want to say thank you to all who read it each week, who make comments and for your continued love, support and prayers.  

May God Bless You and Happy Thanksgiving!  

Signs and Wonders

Hebrews 2:4 (NLT) 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. 

Does God gives us signs?  I believe that he does. 

God teaches us to live by faith and not by site.  However, we all have moments of weakness when we when need a little reinforcement that we are on the right path and that everything will be okay because we cannot see the outcome from our vantage point.  I am not talking about the miraculous signs in the bible demanding proof of God’s presence, but signs and wonders as a method of interaction with our loving Father. 

God wants to communicate with us in a way that we will understand and in forms unique to  our individual needs. Quite often the signs are simple and subtle. A sign may come through a message from a person or through animals, music, art and the written word. Have you ever prayed to God about something and then let the bible fall open to a page hoping to see the answer?  

Quite often God uses the wonders of nature as a way of communicating with us providing us with signs and reminders of hope of a future and reassurance that he is with us always.

When I am really troubled, I ask God for a rainbow and occasionally I get my wish.  Many times it comes simply in the form of light shining through a prism of glass reflecting a colorful display.  For one of my friends her sign is a white butterfly and for another friend it is sea birds.  

I think that God gives us messages and signs everyday to answer our prayers and concerns, yet most of the time we are blind to them. Truly, we simply need to open our hearts and minds to Him and we will feel  God’s presence everyday.  What better sign than that?

Check out this clever youtube video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66cvigxUxM8

Carry-On Baggage Only

Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)¹⁹ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Over the years, I have learned the value of packing lighter when I go on vacation, especially when traveling by airplane. Instead of haphazardly throwing a bunch of clothing into my suitcase, I now spend more time planning and coordinating outfits and have learned to pack smarter. Packing for vacation is a lot like getting older.  

When I was younger, I was focused on the collection of material things and getting ahead in life. Along the way, I also ended up picking up worries, resentment, hurt, jealousy, fear, anxiety, confusion, stress and sadness. There were several times when I was faced with the unexpected, some of which threatened to destroy the essence of me and essentially steal my joy. The weight of my baggage started to tip the scales and ultimately I realized that it is time to start unloading and learn to pack lighter.

Grandma often says that we spend the first half of our life collecting things and the second half getting rid of them. She was referring to material possessions, however, I believe that it also applies to our mental and emotional collections. Material comforts come and go, but letting go of emotional baggage is the most difficult and the ultimate freedom in life. So many sleepless nights of worry are trivial from God’s point of view. With age and experience comes wisdom; with wisdom comes perspective; with perspective comes peace and joy.

God is the perfect baggage handler. He will destroy the baggage that destroys us if we can simply let go  of it.  Give God your clunky old stale emotional baggage and let him care for you. Store your treasures in heaven and pack only what you can carry with you.

Isaiah 46:4 (NLT) 4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

"Breath. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure".  Oprah Winfrey

Trials of Glory

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) ⁶ So be truly glad.^[a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the beauty of the words of the Apostle Peter and recognize him as an absolute role model of faith.  His faith was so strong that Jesus gave him the name of Cephas, which in the Syriac language means “rock”.  The Apostle Paul referred to Peter as the “pillar” of the Church. Peter was imprisoned several times for his faith. On one occasion he spent nine months imprisoned in darkness and was subject to unspeakable torture. Despite the torture and his suffering, he converted his jailers and forty-seven others to the Christian faith. 

Our faith is tested and becomes purified through our trials. Peter speaks of how gold is purified by fire.  I like to think about how coal over time and stress from heat and pressure turns into graphite and graphite under extreme heat turns into a diamond. Our trials give God an opportunity to refine and purify us and change us from a lump of coal to a beautiful glistening diamond. 

At times it may be difficult to stay in faith, especially when we are in the midst of our trials and can’t see the positive outcome God has planned for us. I can think of many examples throughout my life when God has demonstrated his love for me through my trials and the valuable lessons he has taught me. No matter how long they last, our trials are a blessing from God as he shapes and molds us for some wonderful joy in our future.  Our scars become badges of glory and honor in his name.

God has given us the freedom of choice for how we walk through our trials. Will you choose to be like Peter; be a rock, firm in your faith?  I hope so, because if you do, I can attest that God will never let you down. 

1 Peter 1:24 (NLT) 24 

As the scriptures say;

“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. 

The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever”

”Nothing can stop the individual who firmly believes that the wind in his sails comes directly from God.”  Rex Rouis

Lean Into It

The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5: 3-10 (NIV)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These are the beatitudes or blessings taught by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount. These comforting words teach us about the virtues of humility and righteousness.    

As I read these blessings, I am struck with a simple yet powerful message from Jesus that helps to put life in perspective. This message is for all of us today, just as it was when Jesus walked the earth. 

This message is about the times when we are poor in spirit, upset and discouraged about our lives.  For the times when we mourn due to the loss of loved ones or relationships. For the times when we feel insecure and timid. For the times when we are treated unfairly. For the times when we feel like we can’t get a break and feel like no one cares. Blessed are those have struggles in life, but lean forward into it anyway with integrity and faith of better days ahead and knowing that Jesus walks right beside us.

We are taught to be merciful even when others are not merciful to us. We are taught to do what is right in our hearts, even though others may cheat and get a head of us in life. We are taught to be peacemakers, when there is turmoil all around us. Life is so much sweeter and will be filled with a great knowledge of purpose if only we lean into the storm knowing that as we are faithful in our trust in Him, God always has our back.  

Have a blessed day and live knowing that God loves you and that’s all that really matters. 

"Lean forward into your life. Begin each day as if it were on purpose." Mary Anne Radmacher

You Are A Work of Art!

Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT)

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 

2 You know when I sit down or stand up. 

3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

5 You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great to understand!

It’s difficult to imagine that God knows everything about us. He knows what we are going to ask in prayer before we ask it. He knows what we are going to do before we do it and knows how we will feel about it afterward.  He knows our every thought and every action of every second of every day.  He is omniscient!  Best of all, he know’s what is in our hearts and our intentions, despite the frailties of our flesh.  

He loves each one of us for who we are because we were created according to his plan. We are each a unique work of art, delicate and complex, created lovingly by the hands of God. There are no coincidences. We are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves or of this world.  Isn’t that awesome?!

Psalm 139:14-16 (NLT)

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.  15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

God gives us the freedom to make choices and he knows in advance the choices we plan to make.  So why doesn’t he stop us from making bad choices?  Honestly, I don’t know, but I believe and trust that it is part of his long term plan and purpose for our lives.  

I find it comforting to know that he is with me every second and will guide my path if I ask and I am mindful of his presence. God will influence our thoughts and choices to guide us to fulfill his perfect plan for us. We need only trust in Him. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for placing your hand of blessings on my head.  I am a work of art in progress; not a complete sculpture.  I trust that you will continue to shape me and mold me into a creation that is beautiful in your eyes and pleases you.  I seek answers to complex questions, for which you alone have the answers.  I put my trust in you and know that the answers will unfold like the blossoms of a rose, when I am able to understand. Thank you for creating me and for your unending love.

Amen. 

The Lords Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. 
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread, 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Sometimes, when I kneel to pray, I am lost for words. Jesus provided the Lord’s prayer to his disciples as guidance on how to pray, and today the Lord’s prayer is a part of every service and mass. 

I confess it is something that I was forced to memorize in Sunday school to be repeated endless times throughout my life. It is my fallback prayer that usually helps me get started. I find, however, that it has become a rote exercise and I don’t always actually think about what I am saying and the meaning behind the prayer. 

It is an incredibly beautiful and simple prayer when you think about it and it should be prayed with passion.  Here is what it means to me:

Our Holy Heavenly Father,
I pray that YOUR WILL be done on earth, as taught in your holy word - not that of Satan or the flesh
I pray that you provide us with our daily needs 
I pray that you forgive me for my sins and that I will be as gracious to forgive others of their sins against me. 
I pray that you guide my path daily so that I make the right choices and that you protect me from evil, illness and accidents.
You are the all knowing presence in my life, I trust that you are in control and have plans for me. 
I praise you Lord, and thank you and love you for ever and ever. 
Amen

May God bless you all today and everyday.

The Value of Circumstances

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I have been reading a book called “Life Without Limits”, written by Nick Vujicic.  Have you heard of him?  He is an amazing person! A quadriplegic from birth, he is blessed with the gift to speak and inspire with many powerful messages about living a happy life filled with humor, humility and Gods peace. One message he shared really stood out for me. 

“If God does not change your circumstances, he will use your circumstances”.  

Who we are, where we are and what we do in life is no coincidence. God has a plan for each of us without limits, yet we still put limits on ourselves. We say, "if only I were younger, wealthier, prettier, healthier, smarter or more talented, then I could be happy.” Why do we limit ourselves and let life's circumstances rule us?  

Many times it is difficult to understand the value of our circumstances, especially when it involves our health, finances, or the loss of a loved one. Some situations simply don’t make sense, at least in the moment, but how we deal with each situation and what we learn from it is far more important than the outcome. 

I had a bit of a wake up call recently. A tumor was found on my inner thigh the size of a lime. For the past five weeks I have been going to doctors, having blood drawn, MRI’s, CT scans and a biopsy.  I spent many hours in various waiting rooms. During this time, I observed people going through chemotherapy, people with bandaged legs, arms and heads, on gurney’s and in wheelchairs in various stages and forms of treatment for a multitude of illness and injury. On the last day of appointments, I remembered James 1:2-4, during our times of trouble, we should pray and give thanks to God and that is exactly what I did.  I have yet to learn the prognosis of my circumstances, but I stand ready to learn what God has to teach me.   

James 1:2-4 (NLT) ² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

This weekend, I discovered Nick Vujicic.  There are no coincidences.  Check it out. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da5QQSxSsGY&feature=related

God’s Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

God is the master artist; painter, sculptor, writer, musician and dancer.  All that we create here on earth is inspired by and comes from him.  God uses us as his paintbrush, his hands, his pencil, his guitar, his voice and his legs.  

Most times when I think of God’s artistic creation I look in wonderment at the landscape; the colors in the sky over the ocean at dawn, the mountains at dusk, a deer grazing in the tall golden grass, fluffy inkblot cloud formations and glorious opulent rainbows. His artwork is around us at every minute of every day and I often take it for granted and miss its beauty, depth and complexity.  

Of all of God’s handiwork, his pride, his joy, his masterpiece, is each one of us.  He created each of us as a unique piece of art as individual, delicate and wonderful as a snowflake.  He designed each of us perfectly by his creative expression, specifications and plans.  

I don’t know about you, but when I look in the mirror I don’t see a masterpiece and I definitely don’t feel like one. Clearly, God sees us all differently than we see ourselves. I am certain that his definition of beauty is much different and deeper than our superficial view. God has the perfect  lens and we need only learn to see ourselves and others as he does.  Each of us is his masterpiece, beautiful to behold, inside and out.  You can take his word for it!

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV) ³ Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Dear God, 

Even though I don’t feel like your masterpiece, I want to be.  As a work in progress, I ask that you keep chiseling away and mold me into the person you planned for me to be.  Help me to not compare myself to others but only to you so that I may focus on pleasing you and perform your works, by the grace of your gifts and never ending love.  Thank you for your patience and for not giving up on me.

Amen 

  

Dear God

Help me to approach this day and this week, focused not on myself, but focused externally to the service of others to complete the work that you have set before me.  I pray for the strength to let go of the concerns of my problems, entrusting them with confidence to you so that I can focus on being a blessing to others.  Amen

We all have problems, worries, disappointments and frustrations especially when events in our lives do not go according to our plans. When things happen that are outside of our control, it can cause anxiety and fear.  Learning to let go and trust others and God can be a very difficult challenge. 

At times we become so inwardly focused and so filled with worry about tomorrow that we miss the beautiful moments that life has to offer today. We may not see the opportunities that God has provided and we become blind to the needs of others.  

Hardships and disappointments are simply a part of life and ultimately part of God’s plan to prepare us for his purpose. Learning to live one day at a time, serving others and God and surrendering our will and trust to Him, will bring us ultimate peace and happiness. 

It is by God’s grace that we are here. Faith means that we give up control of the our life to him, and live without fear or worry.  

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity 

to accept the things I cannot change; 

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 

Enjoying one moment at a time; 

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; 

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; 

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr  

Go in peace!