Choose Life

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; ²⁰ that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

God has given us the gift of life for a reason. Every experience we have, every person we interact and connect with is by his design according to his plan.  Every life has a purpose and we should have a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction each day when we retire.

Ah, if only it were that easy. So, it may not be easy, but anything worthwhile in life never seems to come to us easily.

What does it mean to choose life?

Choosing life is not merely a physical presence by which we walk through each day in our physical being like a well tuned robot.  It is not walking around empty, self-absorbed, critical or depressed, although that is one choice.  God has something better in mind for all of us.

Choosing life is a belief and attitude so ingrained in our souls that becomes second nature.  Choosing life is having an unshakable faith, trust and love for God that permeates deep within the mind, spirit and body.

Choosing life means putting on the full armor of God and clinging to him fully, because when we choose life, Satan moves in for the attack. Satan will try to steal your joy and fill you with doubt, greed, anger, sadness and worry.

Choosing life means being resilient, grateful, loving and happy through all experiences in life.  It is a way of being that transcends all circumstances.

God has given us the freedom of choice, which no human being can take from us. Rejoice in the dawn of each new day and retire each night with peaceful satisfaction with your blessed God given-life.

You were created by him as special and unique for His purpose. Choose to reach out your hand and feel the power and grace of his love as you walk with Him in the light.

Choose God, choose life and you will be happy!

John 8:12 (NKJV) ¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 

  

He Shall Direct Your Paths

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)  5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

I am overwhelmed by the countless number of times throughout my life that this scripture has been boldly and unabashed illustrated for me. Not only has this scripture rung true in my life, but I have witnessed it in the lives of friends, colleagues and family members. 

Trusting in the Lord with all your heart, in ALL circumstances is no easy task for most of us. It is easy to say that we believe and live by this scripture during the good times, when all is going according to our desires and plans. This scripture is difficult when we are faced with life-changing challenges such as the loss of a job, a loved one, financial difficulties, relationship issues and major health concerns. It is difficult when we are filled with anxiety, worry, low self-esteem, confusion and/or uncertainty about the future. 

Our faith is most challenged during these times, but it serves as a great opportunity to grow in our faith and develop a closer relationship to God. I believe that Gods uses these situations as teaching moments that may take months or years to complete. It is a process that requires prayer, obedience, resilience, perseverance and patience. A tall order I know, but well worth it. 

I like to control things in my life, but I have learned that when I trust God and turn over all my concerns to him that he eventually provides me with a clear and straight path for which to follow. Sometimes it is not the path I had in mind, or it takes longer than I wanted, but it has always turned out to be the best for me in the long run. He clears the way and makes things happen!

Trusting God is: 

• Acknowledging that all things are possible through Him
• Knowing that He loves us all unconditionally and will never leave us
• Knowing that He has a plan and purpose for each of us
• Knowing that He is in control and the grand decision maker for all things in our lives
• Being humble and giving up our prideful ways to Him
• Serving Him without question, doubt or worry
• Knowing that when we fall He will be there to catch us and lift us up
• Living each day as if it were our last with a joyful and giving heart

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I have managed to get several of my favorite bible versus in the blog today.  Truly, these have all been significant guiding beliefs in my life and have served many times as a flashlight in the darkness, a lighthouse in the distance and a shining star to give me hope.  

Have a blessed week! 

The Way, the Truth and the Life

John 14 (NKJV)  14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

These beautiful words of reassurance from our dear sweet Jesus are comforting to me as our family grieves the loss of Patrick Shea Sr, my husband’s father. We spent the last two weeks by his side during his hospice care and it was truly a humbling experience. We were fortunate to be able to say, “I love you” and hear the same from him every day. Even though his body failed him, his spirit remained strong as he was anointed by the priest for his rebirth.   

Pat had it everything anyone could ask for and lived life to the fullest. He had fame, good looks, athletic talent, a loving family and a multitude of friends. He was a faithful Irish Catholic, bigger than life, highly competitive, mighty and physically strong with a great sense of humor and with a heart of pure gold. Of course, life was not perfect and he had struggles along the way as we all do, but he had a strong resolve and took each challenge head-on. 

It is comforting to know that he has gone to our Father’s house to the place that Jesus prepared for him. I am comforted to know that he is bouncing my sweet baby boy Austin on his knee. It is comforting to know that he is reunited with his parents, friends and family members that have gone before him and celebrating his rebirth.  

Even though we feel lost without him, we know that he is at peace now with no pain, no worries, no illness and no stress.  

John 14:27 (NKJV)  ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We miss you Dad, but we will never forget!  

Patrick B. Shea  (64)

June 28, 1939 - May 23, 2013

Played for the USC Trojans 1960-61 - San Diego Chargers 1962-66