inspirations

Surviving an Economic Crisis

God's Way.

Did you know that God says A TON about money and finances?

I heard a fabulous sermon by my Pastor today on a subject that silenced even the little children in the congregation today. I don't know why the children were so quiet other than maybe they took a cue from their parents who were silenced to the point you could hear a pin drop in the sanctuary.

Talk to people about finances...and they LISTEN.

Talk to people about finances in a down economy...and they REALLY listen.

There are a ton of people giving a whole lot of advice about the down-turn in our economy, gas prices, increased foreclosures, the mortgage crisis, the stock-market. But VERY FEW are talking about what the BIBLE says about these topics. And yes, the Bible addresses finances very specifically and very intensely.

The Bible is the best instruction book known and available to man. No need for any other book regarding finances---just open your bible and you'll have all the instruction and advice you'll ever need.

I'll attempt to highlight the main keys Pastor Doug Batchelor made in his sermon with a few added thoughts of my own:

In economic crises and hard times:

1. REMEMBER THE POOR. DON'T STOP GIVING! God honors those who remain faithful to His instruction to remember the poor and to share with those who have less than we do. Give all that you can. Give generously. Give to those in need, and God will take care of YOUR needs. Don't stop giving to the poor when your finances are stressed...continue to give and be blessed. Never turn someone down that asks for a drink of water.

Are you hesitant to give to someone asking for some change because you've heard others talk negatively about it because so many may spend it on alcohol or drugs or something bad? Do you have a hardened heart towards the guy at the freeway exit holding a "please help  me" cardboard sign because you've seen so many of them and you're immune to them? STOP for a moment and PRAY that God will SOFTEN your heart towards the homeless and poor and less fortunate than you. PRAY that God will place opportunities in your life to give to people in need...and the OBEY Him when He answers your prayer. Ask that He will bless the change and dollars and meals you provide to those in need begging for your help. THEN it's God's burden to deal with the recipient of your gift---but you will be blessed for your generosity and your seeds will be multiplied. (Perhaps in the form of finances, but perhaps in other ways more abundantly that God knows you are in need of).

NEVER stop giving.

2. PLAN CAREFULLY AND BE INDUSTRIOUS. Unless you are UNABLE to work and be industrious, do all that you can to work diligently and with good work ethics. Do all that you can with all of your might. Ask God to give you opportunities to do MORE than you FEEL like doing. Ask Him to bless your efforts and direct your hands to do all that you do to His glory.

Remember this: God instructed us to work 6 days of the week and to rest on the 7th day. Working around your home for your family or in the community is very industrious! God must have known we would need a day to rest and I'm so thankful that while He instructed us that "Six days you shall do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do NO work..." Praise God for a day of rest...makes the rest of the week so sweet knowing we have a day of NO work at the end of it!

God blesses those who give their best, do their best, and dedicate all that they do to HIS glory.

3. KEEP DIVINE PRIORITIES / PUT GOD FIRST. When finances get tight, many hold off on tithes and offerings. It's easy to tithe on our income when times are great---but when things get tough, it's a true test of faith to give 10% of your income when there's less money in the budget. But God is very specific about this subject: don't rob Him. Don't forget to give all that you can. A tithe is 10% of your income; an offering is anything over and above a tithe that you choose to give.

God even challenges us to TEST HIM in this matter! He says "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse , that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this', Says the Lord of hosts, 'if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.'" Malachi 3:10

I can tell you from personal experience: when you put God first in your finances, MIRACLES happen beyond human explanation. I KNOW this to be true. I've TESTED God as He invited me to do. I stepped out in faith at a time that was really difficult and TITHED anyway...and continue to tithe...and we could tell you countless stories of financial miracles that would blow your mind. It works. Trust God. He'll take care of you and bless you beyond your wildest imagination when you acknowledge that He owns it all and asks for only a tenth of your increase to show Him that you trust Him and believe Him when He says He'll take care of your needs.

4. DON'T BE A SLAVE TO DEBT. Easier said than done in a day and age where we Americans want it all and have it all and leverage our FUTURE income to get it all TODAY to pay it off TOMORROW. Ouch. Our thought of what's a necessity is actually NOT a necessity in the eyes of most other countries. Why do we NEED a new car? Or a BIGGER home? Or the latest decor and furniture and home theater and boats and motor-homes and fabulous vacations every year? MOST Americans put these items on credit cards and the bible says we are then SLAVES to the debt we've created.

Today people in America are carrying more credit card debt than ever before. It can be a devastation to finances when economic hardships hit. But I believe with all my heart that a faithful steward who trusts in God and seeks His wisdom and guidance can and will get out of the credit card debt if you are willing to change your spending habits and experience a change of lifestyle that will allow for dedication to this effort! Pray that God will guide you...check out the resources on this subject that are biblically based:

Crown Financial Ministries

Audio Archives at Crown Financial: How to manage your money

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

I believe that God will preserve His people when they completely trust Him with anything and everything in life: small and large decisions, their hopes and dreams, the details of their lives and their FINANCES.

We are headed for some tough times...but God is good and faithful to those that trust in Him and seek Him and walk with Him daily.

Don't forget the poor. Give all that you can. Work as much as you can and be industrious. Keep God first in your finances by tithing and giving offerings. Stay in the Word DAILY. Walk with God. Talk with God. Trust Him. Spend time with Him. Ask Him for guidance and help in turning your finances around if they are in poor shape. Ask Him to present opportunities in your life to give your time and your money to those in need.

Or, in the words of John Wesley: Earn all you can, give all you can, save all you can!

And thank Him for everything in your life including your eyesight to read this post. He is so good!

Scriptures for reference regarding finances:

Proverbs 19;17; 1John3:17; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 12:11; 2Thessalonians 3:10; John 6:27; Genesis 32:10; 1Kings 17:13; Proverbs 22:7; Romans 13:8; Genesis 41:34; Mark 8:36; Luke 12:16; Mark 12:41; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 50:10 (Just to name a FEW!)

God's children

Recently I posted about a beautiful little song, Cinderella, written by Steven Curtis Chapman...I'm so sad to say that this past week that wonderful song writer/singer and his family experienced a tragic and unthinkable loss: the unexpected death of their little 5 year old, Maria.

I can't even imagine a loss like this---and it causes me to thank God for my own children and each and every special day I've been gifted with their lives. I learn so much ABOUT God through my own children! His love and His patience and kindness is evident in them.

So, while I haven't posted to this blog in a while, I wanted to pop on here and suggest that you hug your children today---thank God for them and pray that His angels are protecting their every breathing moment.

Pray for your children throughout the day. Pray that God will direct their steps, their thoughts, their choices. Pray that He will guide you in YOUR choices in bringing up HIS children...for truly they are His and He has loaned them to us for a short while...

God Bless everyone today!

Jesus said "let the little children come unto Me, and to not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

Priorities in Life

Just a thought for the day:

Replace the word "Priorities" with the word "Preferences".

Now, ask yourself, what are your "PREFERENCES in life"?

What do you prefer to do?

1. Sleep an extra hour or start your day devoted to God in prayer and reading the bible?

2. Work overtime to make extra money or spend time with your child?

3. Scrapbook (insert any hobby/activity) or spend MORE time with your family?

4. Fill your body with caffeine (or insert any OTHER drug here) or drink life-giving water?

5. Watch American Idol (or insert any OTHER mindless useless TV show here) or spend time with God and your family doing evening bible study together?

:)

My prayers are with each and every person that may stumble upon this blog---that together, our PREFERENCES in life---or, what we would truly RATHER do---would be the choices that both honor our God, ourselves, our families and our neighbors.

"For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." Psalm 36:9

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37: 5, 6

Favorite quote today

Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

I love this scripture. I truly believe that every woman who embraces it and every man who is in love with a woman who embraces it has true joy and peace and knows one of the great blessings of knowing God deeply.

This scripture keeps me focused on what really matters in life: knowing God and fearing Him. No, not fear as in FEAR and TERROR and being scared, rather, fear as in AWE-STRUCK, fear as in AMAZED and FULL OF RESPECT, fear as in complete devotion and understanding that our Maker is real and the sole source of life itself.

In a world that promotes exterior beauty, it's a relief to know that "man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart". It's a theme throughout the bible that I embrace and am devoted to. I wish every woman embraced it because far too many (in fact, most) women base their feeling of self-worth on "looks".

Being young and beautiful is a multi-gazillion dollar industry (I was going to say multi-billion dollar industry but that's far too conservative, I'm sure). We're told to restore our youth with this product, make our hair shinier with that product, get liposuction and breast implants and other surgeries to perfect our bodies, and on and on and on.

As a professional photographer, I photograph some amazingly beautiful people (physically speaking) and it AMAZES me that so many men, women AND children tear themselves apart in their photos! WHY??? Why do we only see our physical imperfections? Why does our world and our society base status and beauty primarily on looks?

We've become obsessed with our looks. Women are told as little girls by the media and their own friends and family that beauty is external and perfection in physical appearance is to be valued and desired.

Sad. So, so sad.

I guess I see it more than most because of the beautiful people I photograph and I'm simply amazed that so many tear themselves down and "see" themselves differently that they really "look" to others. But deeper than that, it's even sadder that we miss the most important thing of all:

Beauty is not about beauty as man sees it.

Beauty is TRULY what the heart looks like. It's the inner peace and joy that pours out from a person through words and actions and an indescribable aura that makes people just want to be around that person. TRUE beauty comes from the deep love you experience when drawing near to the Lord...and in turn, your heart is changed and made new each and every day!

Show me a woman that walks daily with the Lord and prefers to be with Him more than anything else and I'll show you a truly beautiful woman. Show me a man that walks daily with the Lord and prefers to be with Him more than anything else and I'll show you a truly handsome man. Show me a child that walks daily with the Lord and prefers to be with Him more than anything else and I'll show you a truly gorgeous child.

Physical beauty isn't to be desired...fear of the Lord is to be desired. THIS is what lasts. Physical beauty NEVER lasts---it fades---man can try all he wants to preserve it, but it doesn't matter anyway!

Again, I quote:

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 30:31

Quality AND Quantity Family Time

It MATTERS...

If you've read some of my previous entries (see the archives) you know that I believe that quality AND quantity of time matters with our familiy.

I believe that families have lost one of the greatest blessings by being so busy that they don't spend MOST of the meals TOGETHER, with each other...it's one of the best opportunities to learn about each other and find out what's going on in the lives of our children. We eat 28 out of 30 dinners a month together...and every lunch on weekends and most breakfasts. It's a very special time to bond as a family.

We also play together. We watch uplifting musical programs together...go to Christian Concerts together...we go to church and SIT together (so many kids sit with their friends in church and we have taken the stance that church is a time for our family---friends are for other times)...and we play games together.

A great game that is fun for a Saturday game night (with popcorn and all) is Bible Categories (a knock-off of Scattegories). It's fun, and everyone learns something new about the bible! You can find it at your local Christan Book Store, or here at this link: Bible Games.

Making a weekly family night with games, popcorn, or uplifting music and a biblical movie will add to your life more than you know!

God is so good...He wants us to enjoy our lives and each other while glorifying Him every step of the way!

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! for His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" Psalm 107:1, 2

Cinderella

A tear jerker...

There's a song written and sung by the great Stephen Curtis Chapman that tugs at my heart every single time I hear it.

It reminds me of my own daughter...and her very precious and special relationship with her Daddy. One that I've never had myself...and yet God is so great and glorious to let me see what one looks like here on earth. While I never had this myself, I am blessed to see one of the most beautiful human relationships unfold before my very eyes.

A father is a young girls biggest role model in shaping her heart for a husband. He is very influential in her life on many levels. And I'm so very thankful to see what this role model looks like in the life of my own daughter. She's so very blessed. And so am I to witness it.

Someday, very soon, this entire song will be played out in our own lives. She's growing so fast. Too fast. And this song is so close to my own husband's heart.

You can hear it in it's entirety by clicking the above link, and then clicking on "Cinderella". It will lead you to a little box you can navigate to hear the song.

Here are the lyrics in full:

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

GMC

Gospel Music Chanel

Just a great little share for those of you that enjoy great Christian Music programming, Contemporary Christian Videos (think MTV but with uplifting music by Christian Artists) and other great Christian programs for families...it's chanel 9717 with the Sky Angel programming...soon changing to IPTV (Internet Provider T.V.). The best $15 a month we spend on any media.

Here's a link: http://www.skyangel.com/ and here's the GMC link: http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/

I'm very passionate about filling our minds (and hearts) with things that draw us NEARER to Jesus. We need to fill our souls with GOOD uplifting program if we watch ANYTHING at all...

:)

Some Great Reads!

Just a shout-out about a series of books I am enjoying. VERY inspiraitonal and very uplifting but also VERY insightful into the lives of some great men and women in the bible. These books include some history and cultural facts as well as spiritual views and biblical references.

The series is written by Charles R. Swindoll (Chuck Swindoll) entitled "Profiles in Character". Mr. Swindoll has written a total of 9 books on the following 9 characters over the past 10+ years:

Jesus, Moses, Paul, Job, Esther, David, Elijah, Joseph, and a book of "Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives" which is about several "smaller, lesser-known" characters in the bible.

I have 8 of the 9 and am reading "Jesus" right now---it's his last book in the series as he saved the "best for last" and my sweet, dear hubby bought it for me on Valentines Day together with a dozen beautiful red roses (thanks Donnie).

Don't run out and buy all 9 at once---buy one at a time and use them to see more into the lives of these fabulous bible characters. They are a GREAT read, as Chuck Swindoll has a very reader-friendly style of writing and they are also a great tool to use to understand more about bible history.

Enjoy!

Divine Appointments (Part III)

(Not by "appointment only"!)

Divine appointments are not "set time period" nor are they "at our own convenience". Divine appointments are DIVINE because they are in GOD'S time, at HIS appointed period and by HIS hand and for HIS glory.

Here are some "types" of divine appointments and some points to consider:

*a divine appointment must be recognized as such. We may be in the middle of a project and an opportunity comes along to share the name of God with someone that we feel impressed to share with. That "nudging" in your heart is the Holy Spirit prompting you to SHARE at that exact moment in time, even if you don't think you have time. We are not to question or delay. We are to obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

*A divine appointment may be a brief encounter. It may be a smile, a friendly gesture, or a quick response like "praise God, He is so good, isn't He?" in a normal everyday conversation.

*A divine appointment may be deeper ministry. It may lead to a deep conversation about the Lord and allow us to witness about His love in our own lives---or lead to a specific topic at hand and allow us to share what we know on the topic and some wisdom from the bible.

*A divine appointment is not "clock-oriented". Be prepared. Divine appointments can last 2 seconds---or 2 hours. God is in control and God is arranging these appointments in our lives! We are to trust Him, allow the Holy Spirit to lead, and be prepared for God to lead the time frame even if the clock ticks and we have a "to do list" that waits in the wings!

*A divine appointment is a blessing...to us as well. Divine appointments are encounters between us and others that God uses to bless others with. But they also bless us because as we share God with others our own faith is increased!

*A divine appointment...is addicting. When you start to allow God to arrange your day with opportunities to share your faith with others, you will become addicted to living this way! The great rewards of blessings and joys will increase and your life will CHANGE in a way that I can't even write about...you have to experience it for yourself.

ARE YOU AVAILABLE FOR GOD? ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO HIM? WILL YOU ALLOW HIM TO BE IN CHARGE OF YOUR DAY AND BRING DIVINE APPOINTMENTS TO YOUR OWN CALANDER OR BLACKBERRY?

If the answer is yes, buckle-up. Put on your seat belt. Your life is about to CHANGE! :)

I invite you to share your own stories of divine appointments with me here as a comment or via private email using the email button above.

Divine Appointments (Part II)

(being available for God!)

I have more items on my "to do" list every single day than I have time to complete them. I struggle with stress on a daily basis because I try to prioritize the items into the top 10 "must do" items and can't narrow down to 10 from the 30! They ALL need to be done.

And on top of the to do list is the appointment schedule...appointments in my business that must be kept in order for my business to prosper and succeed.

So there I am, every day, with a foot long to-do list and several appointments on my calender to boot.

Left to my own human wisdom and abilities, I would be a walking mess with a stress level so high that I would be prone to heart failure on a daily basis. I started out by saying I struggle with stress because EVERY SINGLE DAY I have to "give my day to God" in order that HE is in control and that I am reminded that I don't have to do it all.

In addition, I pray (as I shared on m previous post) for Him to interrupt my day as He sees fit and as He desires, all the while helping me to accomplish the things on my list that HE KNOWS in His "all-knowing-infinite-wisdom" MUST be done based on what He knows about my life and the lives of those IN my life that depend on me to accomplish things that affect them as well, as big or small as those things may be.

So...in this way, I am able to release my day to God and give up control to Him to bring people into my life that I can share my faith with. See, if I didn't start out by releasing my entire day to Him, I would NEVER take time to share my faith because I would NEVER think I HAD TIME to share my faith!

This is the key that I believe most Christians miss...it's not that they don't WANT to share their faith through a kind word or deed (or more---perhaps a small time of true ministry that lasts longer), it's that they DON'T THINK THEY HAVE TIME in the business of the day.

By giving my day to God and INVITING Him to interrupt my day with divine appointments, I'm actually blessed by Him and it never fails that I STILL get the things done that must be done!

On a particular day that I don't do this for whatever reason (blame it on being a human with my own imperfections and the ability to "slip into my old habits" of relying on my own abilities), I NOTICE the stress slipping back into my life. Not to mention the sharp awareness that I actually missed out on a blessing that God intended for me that day because I didn't "take the time or have the time" for someone He allowed me to cross paths with.

God asks us to share Him with others...I believe it is through divine appointments that He arranges and that we allow to occur in our lives. Divine appointments that bless both the person we share with...the the person that SHARED.

Praying for "divine apointments" in our daily lives demonstrates our faith in God...because we are inviting MORE into our schedule on any given day than we already have planned. And on top of it, we are inviting UNKNOWN appointments that will come into our day without even knowing WHEN or WHERE they will "pop up"! We are being FAITHFUL in knowing that God is at work in our lives, and we are releasing the control of our day to Him!

We must be available for God. We must ASK HIM to help us be availalbe for Him. We must BE WILLING to be available for Him.

Are you available?

Divine Appointments (part 1)

(the most important appointments in your schedule!)

If you're like me, you have an agenda or calendar---either in writing or in your head---that lists your scheduled appointments or meetings for the day, week and month. These can include dental and doctor's appointments, getting the car serviced, business appointments/meetings, school events, home-deliveries, etc.

These appointments are scheduled and prepared for. They are "set in stone" in most cases. We re-arrange our lives for them, make time for them and keep from "double scheduling" ourselves because we can't be in more than one place at one time!

But what about...divine appointments? Have you ever stopped to think about those? Have you considered that term or heard of it?

By "divine appointment", I'm referring to this:

AN APPOINTMENT OR MEETING THAT IS INSPIRED BY, ARRANGED BY, AND LED BY GOD. IT IS A SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHARE OUR FAITH WITH ANOTHER PERSON OR PERSONS.

God wants to bless us and USE US to bless others. He works THROUGH us to bless those around us. A divine appointment is a powerful "time" with a person or persons that is arranged by our Lord without us sometimes even knowing about it...until we are upon it.

To experience a "divine appointment", we must be AVAILABLE.

Are you AVAILABLE FOR GOD?

OR...

Are you TOO BUSY for a divine appointment arranged by God?

The unique thing about divine appointments is this: they can't be put into a time slot on your Blackberry or on your appointment schedule. They can't be "planned out" in your life. They will come at the most SEEMINGLY inopportune times that "interrupt" your "planned day" and so you HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE spiritually and this means you have to be WILLING TO BE USED throughout your day, every day, in order for God to use you as His servant in reaching out to other people.

I actually pray every single morning during my devotional time that God will use me as He chooses on that particular day. Let me give you an example of how I pray this:

"Lord, you know my day. You know what I have planned. You know what I THINK needs to be accomplished and you know the appointments that are on my schedule. But Lord, I GIVE YOU PERMISSION to interrupt my day, my schedule, and my appointments as You see fit. I pray for Your Holy Spirit to enter my heart and allow me to recognize Your Hand in my day. I pray that you will use me in a very special way to share Your love and Your character with someone today that needs to see and feel Your love. And Lord, I pray that You will help me to accomplish the things that must be accomplished and to let go of the things that can truly wait until tomorrow so that I have the time needed to be used as Your servant today."

I actually pray several times throughout the day that God will use me, bring divine appointments into my life, and help to recognize these special appointments so that I am open to allowing the Holy Spirit use me to share Him with others throughout my day.

When I am available for God, and "let go" of what *I* think needs to be done today and give my day to Him, He REALLY DOES help me accomplish the important things, and ALSO brings divine appointments into my life with a person or persons that He arranges me to be inspired to share His love with in either a small way or a very big way.

When you start praying for these divine appointments in your life, you will be AMAZED at how God will use you. And when they come into your life, and you recognize them, it gives you CHILLS to realize that GOD is using YOU to reach a soul with His love.

Divine appointments are the best appointments of the day...and they are the most important and most significant appointments of your day. As you truly start inviting God to use you and cross your path with His lost sheep, your faith will increase, your joy will increase and your life will...CHANGE.

We are CALLED and INSTRUCTED to share God with those around us. And it doesn't have to be a formal meeting...often, it's just with a person we cross paths with. This "crossing of paths" is not a coincidence...it's a "divine appointment" arranged by God so that we can "plant a seed" of hope and love by sharing a bit of our own love with a person in need.

When you start allowing God to use you in this way, and ask Him to help you recognize His hand in your day and your schedule, you will draw nearer to Him like never before. And drawing nearer to Him will bring a peace in your life that you've truly never known before.

But again, I ask...

Are you available?

KLOVE

Just an inspirational reminder that you can listen to positive, uplifting music while working on the computer by logging onto www.klove.com! Minimize the screen, turn up the volume, and ENJOY! Awesome music to be inspired by.

Quote for the day:

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Can you imagine?

I don't watch many TV programs. We don't watch any popular TV shows at all...seriously. We've made a conscious effort to choose wholesome things to fill our minds with and slowly but surely we've eliminated all forms of media that allow "trash into the mind and heart"...

But you only have to watch the news or even listen to KLOVE and you'll hear about the tragic life of Brittney Spears on short news bits.

Can you imagine if that girl found Jesus? She may have a faith and belief, I have no way of knowing her heart. I'm not her judge...I only see "the fruits of her tree" and they scream "lost, sad, broken, desperate and helpless".

I thought about this yesterday...if she could only find the power of God through scriptures and reached out to Him and truly embraced His love and peace that He offers...her life would CHANGE. And what a PLATFORM for Him she would have to be a strong witness to millions of people.

That truly is possible...it COULD happen...but it reminds me of the story of the rich young ruler in the bible:

I'll PARAPHRASE it here but I encourage you to READ IT word for word in your bible...in comes from this text: Matthew 19:16-26...please please read it for yourself!

A young rich man of great status came to Jesus and said "good teacher, what do I need to have eternal life?".

Jesus told him to follow the LAST SIX commandments of the 10 commandments. I want to add a note here. This did NOT exclude the first 4 commandments, because those have to do with our relationship with God and it was a GIVEN at that time and in those days that the first 4 commandments were followed by the people and it was unspeakable NOT to follow the first 4 commandments---Jesus did not even feel the need to name the first 4. (1-You shall have no other Gods before me; 2-You shall not make for yourself any carved image; 3-You shall not take the  name of the Lord your God in vain; 4-Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy).

The rich, young man said "but I've been doing all those things since I was young---what am I lacking still?".

Jesus told him to go and sell everything he had and give it all to the poor and he would then have treasure in heaven. Jesus said to follow Him instead!

But when the young, rich man heard THAT, he was very sorrowful and went away...BECAUSE HE HAD GREAT POSSESSIONS.

Jesus then said to His disciples "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 19:23, 24.

And then the disciples said "who can be saved then?!?" and Jesus looked at them and said to them "With men this is impossible, but WITH GOD all things are possible." Matthew 19:25, 26

Jesus was pointing out that the rich man was IN LOVE with his riches, possessions and everything that status and riches in life brought to him. It wasn't that he WAS rich but rather that he LOVED the riches and the possessions MORE than God and even though he was a "good man" following the commandments and treating men right and living a clean, good life, he had not given his HEART to GOD...rather, his priorities were all askew and off and he couldn't give it up...even if it meant life or death for eternity.

So...back to Brittney Spears. And others in this world that have fame, fortune, riches and luxuries.

Everyone can agree that money does not buy happiness. But WHY?

God has given us a parable in the bible to show us that it isn't the money that brings unhappiness so much as the LOVE of money that puts a wall between our hearts and a TRUE relationship with God.

He pointed out that it's IMPOSSIBLE for a rich man to enter into heaven...UNLESS he loves God MORE THAN his money and riches and status. And God knew it would be very, very hard for a human being to have wealth and riches and stay true to Him at the same time.

And so, for someone like Brittney Spears to find true happiness, she will need to reach out to God, draw near to Him, and desire a relationship with Him MORE THAN all the fame, fortune and riches she has ever experienced up to this point.

I just thought she was a great example of how we should NOT desire to be rich...rather, we should desire to be rich in our relationship with God by drawing near to Him daily by reading our bibles every day and praying "without ceasing". If we are blessed with money and things that bring comfort, we should PRAISE Him and be willing to use our excess resources FOR Him...to glorify Him and spread the good news of the gospel!

As for me...I've been praying that Brittney Spears will find this relationship with Jesus. Call me crazy, but actually I think that she's pretty blessed and lucky to have a "normal person" praying for her salvation. She is, after all, one of His lost sheep. And I don't even listen to her music and have never purchased any of her CD's!

PS: Can you imagine the message she could give as a witness for God and the power of her music if she were to create Contemporary Christian music??? Don't put it past God to create such an amazing feat. He did, after all, part the red sea for Moses and the Israelites!

:)

He is the same yesterday and today!

In an ever changing world, where times are uncertain and sin is rampant and all around us...in a time of economic hardship for so many people...in a time of terrorism and horrific news stories...we can have peace.

Because God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! God NEVER changes. The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament and He is the same today as He was back then!

His character never changes. His goodness never changes. His desire for us never changes. And that can bring a deep sense of peace in this world of today to the man or woman who embraces it and draws near to Him!

I keep writing about this...because I'm passionate about it. It's worth repeating every single day on this blog and every single day if I talk to you personally---because it's the single most important thing that Christians neglect:

Read...the...bible...every...day...of...your...life. You will find joy, peace and love like you've never known!

When you really set out to dig into the bible, and STUDY it, and understand it, you will find amazing parallels between the old and new testaments. You will find that God has never changed. He never falters or changes His views or His opinions or His instructions to us on how to live a good, clean, safe, peaceful, stable, enjoyable life EVEN when everything around us or in our lives may be exactly the OPPOSITE of good, clean, safe, peaceful, stable and enjoyable!

God said in the Old Testament: "You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Even in the old testament, God intended for us to live by His law because the rules He was giving us were GOOD for us...and He wanted us to live by them because they were IN OUR HEART.

He has never changed...in the New Testament Jesus said: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the FIRST great commandment. and the SECOND is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets". Matthew 22:37-40

Notice that the first 4 of the 10 commandments in the old testament have to do with our relationship with God (the 10 commandments are in Exodus 20:1-17)? And in the new testament Jesus says the 1st great commandment has to do with loving God?

See how the last 6 of the 10 commandments in the new testament have to do with our relationship to our fellow man? And in the new testament the 2nd great commandment has to do with loving and treating our "neighbor" or everyone around us like we treat ourselves?

In the New Testament, Jesus goes on to say that on the 2 great commandments He was referencing "hang all the Law and the Prophets". He summed up all of the 10 commandments into two great commands: love God, and love your neighbor. If you follow all 10 commandments in your life, you are LOVING YOUR GOD AND LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR and THIS is what brings about love, joy and peace in our lives!

God never changes! God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!  He set out rules to live by that will improve our lives, establish a loving relationship with our Maker, and create love, peace and harmony with anyone we come into contact with in our lives!

He gave us a set of rules for our GOOD and for PEACE and for JOY and then sent a Savior to take our place for our sins and failures to follow them---but instructing us to live by them because we love Him! These rules are to show our love for God by resting in our hearts---written on our hearts and in our minds.

These rules were created to teach us HOW to live...HOW to love...HOW to look more like Him. But in an imperfect world we failed...and so He loved us SO MUCH that He sent Jesus to take on our sin of breaking these 10 rules so that we could STILL enter the kingdome of heaven and spend eternity with Him. He loves us THAT MUCH. And He simply asks us to follow them out of OUR love for HIM...if we love Him, we will obey Him. And it will not be a burden, but rather, a privelege and joy.

I'm thankful that we have a God in this sinful world that gives us a sense of peace and loves us so much.

Praise God!

being BOLD in your faith...

If you know me personally or if you've been a reader of this blog, you know that I firmly believe that as a Christian, being BOLD is very important in this life.

Being BOLD in my faith has truly been a process for me. I didn't become a Christian until I was an adult...so standing up for my beliefs in this fallen world was a challenge and God was very patient with me during this process.

In recent days months and years I've increased in boldness and I'm VERY committed to standing up boldly in this world for my God and am very confident in doing so. God has been at work in my heart and in my life in doing so...it's truly the best way to live.

I have had many people email me sharing their stories of faith. I LOVE receiving your emails! Many friendships have formed and I'm blessed through this blog to be connected with many people of faith. Many have shared the fact that they find encouragement to stand up for their faith. Others have shared that they live a Christian life much like I used to---comfortable to speak the name of the Lord in FRONT of other Christians but much less comfortable speaking His name IN THE WORLD outside of the comfortable walls of church or outside of the circle of Christian friends.

I encourage ANYONE who has lived this double life to pray TODAY that God will begin a work of boldness in your heart...pray EVERYDAY that He will lead you to stand up for Him NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE AND NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE WITH!

Start by praying over your meals IN PUBLIC...at restraunts, at business luncheons, with non-Christians. Do you already? YAY! Praise God! Can't imagine yourself doing it? PRAY that God will encourage you to do it. At a business lunch simply say "do you mind if I pray for our meal?"---or---simply bow your head and say your prayer. You'll be surprised how influential this can be. Many people have told me how it opened up their eyes to the fact that it's OKAY to pray in public over their meals! It's just ONE way to BEGIN showing your boldness for the the name of Christ.

Another way to step out in boldness is to SAY His name during a conversation. For example, if someone shares a great little story with you about something that happened in their life, say "Praise God...isn't He good that He did that for you!?"...or "Wow! God is so good, isn't He?!?". You'll be surprised how naturally this will become to you and you'll become BOLDER and BOLDER and all the while you'll be planting seeds for Christ in your DAILY LIFE!!!

It's time to STAND UP for your faith and to SHOW YOUR LOVE for God in this hurting world that so desperately needs to SEE us standing for what we believe.

"Delcare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among the peoples" Pslam 96:3

The purpose of prayer...

The primary purpose of prayer is not so much to get answers but to DEEPEN our relationship and friendship with God.

When we pray we are spending time with God...and just as in any relationship, the more TIME we spend with someone, the more we get to KNOW them. God wants us to get to know Him...He wants to spend time with us!

Spending more time with God is how we get to know His character! He WANTS to reveal His character to us!

Reading the bible without prayer is only half as powerful as reading the bible AND praying. Likewise, praying without reading the bible is also only half as powerful as praying AND reading the bible.

"Abraham believed God...and he was called God's friend" James 2:23

Shhh...pray, and LISTEN.

"The fewer words, the better prayer."

One of the greatest things God has shown me recently is to pray...and then be slient. To listen. To hear the Holy Sprit in the quietness of my prayers.

Seems like so many people spend most of their time on their knees "talking"...but the day you "listen" as much or more than you "talk", is the day your prayer life will transcend into a prayer-life beyond your greatest or wildest expectations.

The Holy Spirt is IN your heart, IN you, and yes, in your quietness He will impress your heart and direct your paths. Try this: be silent for double the time you pray...and then open the Word of God and spend 30 minutes meditating on His Word. Read a few Pslams, something from the old testament and then something from the new testament. He will lead you into great understandings and revelataions that will be answers to prayers and lead you to live a life of godliness that particular day.

Do it every day and your life...

will change.

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

Facing the Giants!

It's been awhile since I've posted to this Inspirational Blog---not for any reason other than the fact that I seem to type on-and-on-and-on when I post to it and I feel like I need to put aside a big long time period to post to it when I sit down...so for the new year I've resolved to post tidbits of inspiration so that I'm more inclined to post more often. MAINLY because THIS blog reveals the most important part of my life...my FAITH and STRENGTH that comes from Jesus Christ.

So---I plan on sharing it more often from today forward. Thanks to all of you that have sent me little notes of encouragement to post more often! Hang in there with me---I resolve to do exactly that! ;)

Okay. FACING THE GIANTS, the movie. Have you seen it? We watched this movie over the holidays and it is on my MOST BELOVED movie list EVER!!!!! I love love love this movie! GO GO GO rent or buy this dvd TODAY. Watch it with your family. It's one of the most inspirational movies I've EVER seen and I've watched it 4 times since Christmas. Okay, so I'M the only one in my family that has seen it THAT many times and they all think I'm crazy, but when something THIS inspirational comes along, I cling to it and disect it and claim the power that God reveals to me. There are so many "themes" of faith, encouragement and inspiration in this movie!

If you've seen it, post me a note and let me know your thoughts. If you haven't and you DO see it, post a note or email me. Share your thoughts!

THAT is the kind of power I want in MY LIFE!!!!!

Uplifting scripture for the day:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean NOT on your OWN understanding; In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5 (emphasis mine).

words of hope!

For anyone who needs a little inspiration today...for anyone who needs words of comfort and hope...for anyone who needs a smile or a ray of sunshine...for anyone who wants to be filled with joy and peace today...

A few words from God, words to live by, learn by, love by...

God will sustain you through your day, no matter what your burdens or problems are! It is written: "Cast your burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain you; He shall never allow the righteous to be moved". Psallm 55:22

Anything that is good for you that God wants for you, is possible to achieve! It is written: "With God ALL things are possible". Mark 10:27 AND "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, NOTHING is impossible to you". Matthew 17:20

If you have strayed from God, be of good cheer that He will NEVER stray from you! Come back to Him! He wants you! It is written: "He who has begun a good work in you will COMPLETE IT until the day of Jesus Christ!" Philippians 1:6

No matter what your sufferings of today are, there are good and glorious days ahead for you in Christ which are beyond the sufferings! We are assured of future glory! It is written: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us". Romans 8:18

God hears our prayers! He listens to His people! It is written: "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You. And I will look up". Psalm 5:3 AND "For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer." Psalm 6:9

God cares about what you care about! He is concerned about what you are concerned about! It is written: "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands". Pslam 138:8

God is merciful and will rescue us from our enemies and times of trouble! It is written: "Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; and rescued us from our enemies; for His mercy endures forever". Pslam 136:23,24

God will be with us ALWAYS, even into our old age: It is written: "Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you". Isaiah 46:4

If you trust in the Lord, He calls you BLESSED! It is written: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of the drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7,8

PRAISE GOD for being so merciful and good and caring and loving! He is gracious and beautiful and cares for His people!

Put on the Armor of God today! Pray and read your Bible at least once a day! Read about the Armor of God---it's how we shield ourselves from the arrows of temptation: Ephesians 6:10-17.

Have a blessed day!

24/7

How to experience PEACE AND JOY 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I recently received an email from a faithful reader of this blog (name withheld for respect of privacy, as always) that was very similar to MANY emails I've received over the past few months.

It's a common challenge and dilemma that millions of Christians experience. And I'd like to talk about it and share my own experience and belief about it.

Here's what I hear quite often:

"I believe in God. I know Christ died for me. I read my bible and pray. But I struggle with my faith and I don't FEEL like God is with my or hears my prayers. I feel so alone. I don't personally FEEL or KNOW the peace and joy that so many other people talk about as Christians."

Do you feel like this? Do you wonder what it means to KNOW true peace and joy as a Christian? I used to.

But my LIFE CHANGED the day I realized and discovered the SECRET to true joy and peace.

Actually, it isn't a secret at all. But it's so simple that many people disregard it in it's pure simplicity as being "too easy" or "insignificant." Others feel it's too cumbersome and time consuming. Others just don't KNOW about it.

And here it is:

1. TRUE, LASTING joy and peace comes ONLY from KNOWING your Maker.

2. KNOWING your Maker means...spending time with Him.

3. Spending TIME with Him means exactly that: SPENDING TIME WITH HIM.

4. SPENDING TIME WITH HIM means getting to KNOW HIM.

5. God WANTS YOU TO GET TO KNOW HIM.

6. He REVEALS HIMSELF through His Word (His way of talking to us) and through prayer (our way of talking to Him).

7. DAILY joy and peace comes from spending time with God DAILY. EVERY DAY. Which means: reading your BIBLE every single day, and praying THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Talking to Him LIKE A FRIEND.

That's it. That's the "secret". Talking to God every day, throughout the day (through prayer) and letting God talk to you every day (by reading His Word, the Bible, EVERY DAY).

So why do so many people NOT read their Bibles except on the day that they go to church or a day "here and there"?

I can only answer based on my own experience.

When I DIDN'T read my bible every day, it was because I was "too busy". It wasn't that I didn't WANT to. I really MEANT to. But life is so busy and when I stepped back and analyzed my life and the lack of true joy and  peace in my life, I realized that what I was REALLY saying is this:

"I AM TOO BUSY FOR GOD".

Ouch.

WHY do we allow the "busy-ness" of life to keep us from experiencing TRUE joy and peace? What in life is SO IMPORTANT that we can't GIVE GOD an hour OR MORE of our day? How tragic to have to say one day "I was too busy for God because of my job. Soccer games. Working out. Grocery shopping. Movies. TV. Swimming. Watching football or sports. Cooking. The mall. Computer surfing. Reading the newspaper or a magazine. Sleeping. Eating.

Let me share something with you: If you do ANY of the above activities, you CAN find time to devote to God.

I mean SERIOUSLY! How tragic that EVERYTHING in life is put ahead of TIME WITH GOD in so many Christian lives.

Millions of Christians don't really KNOW God...because they don't spend time "getting to know God". He WANTS you to get to know Him! He wants to REVEAL His character to you! He has so much to share with you! But He can't do that, and YOU can't get to know Him, unless you spend time with Him in the Bible!

"You will call upon Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:12, 13

Then there are those that have a "sporadic" relationship with God. Maybe, say, 2 to 3 times a week. They are true believers, they love God, and they read their bibles "frequently"...but not EVERY DAY. Then they wonder: "why don't I know this peace and joy I hear other Christians talking about?!?".

The bottom line, the REAL key, is in the EVERY DAY experience with God in reading the Bible.

If you have a hard time knowing "where to start" in the Bible, let me suggest this as a beginning plan that will help you establish a HABIT of setting time aside JUST for developing a relationship with God by reading your Bible:

1. PROVERBS. Located in the old testament, there are 31 proverbs written by, Solomon, son of King David. There are exactly a MONTH'S worth of proverbs! So, read ONE proverb every day, corresponding to the DAY OF THE MONTH. Example: today is the 3rd, so you would read proverb #3. Tomorrow you read read the 4th proverb.

2. PSALMS. After reading a Proverb, read a Psalm. The Psalms are beautiful, uplifting, comforting, encouraging "songs" that you will fall in love with. There are 150 Psalms. Many Bibles have "titles" for each Psalm, so flip through and find one that speaks to your heart that particular day. Read it. Read it again later in the day. And again before going to bed. Dwell on it. Think about it. Ask God to help you "internalize" it and "understand" it.

3. THE GOSPELS. After reading your Proverb for the day and a Psalm, Choose one of the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and read a chapter or two from it every day starting with the 1st chapter. I would start with Matthew, and after you've read the entire book of Matthew, move to Mark, then Luke then John.

The above is a great way to START spending time with God every day. Pray BEFORE starting that God will give you wisdom and understanding of the scriptures you are about to read, and pray AFTERWARDS thanking God, praising Him, and putting requests before Him.

The key is, DAILY time with God.

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

I challenge you to spend THIRTY DAYS developing a habit of setting time aside FOR GOD, to be WITH GOD and to get to KNOW GOD. I speak from experience when I say that your LIFE will change from it. You will begin to develop a hunger for God and a deep love that brings about a deeper desire to spend even MORE time with Him.

FYI: If something happens where you find you've missed a day or two, don't feel burdened to HAVE to "make up" the missed days by reading the previous Proverbs to "catch up". You will likely feel overwhelmed and NOT even go back to reading your Bible. This isn't HOMEWORK. This isn't a "HAVE TO". This is a LIFE CHANGING experience that God will use to draw you NEARER to Him and He will bless you regardless of your human ways of "missing or skipping a day". Don't let this be a burden. Let it be a JOY in learning how to draw near to God!

I promise you this: the NEARER to God you draw, the MORE you want to get to know Him and the MORE TIME you will WANT to spend with Him. You will soon cherish your time with Him and you will look forward to it and you will feel EMPTY on the days you don't spend time alone with Him!

I'll be praying that those that read this and want to experience the TRUE joy and peace that I'm talking about will find the joy and peace that comes from spending more time with God.

Oh...and if you ALREADY spend time with Him? Spend more. We can NEVER spend too much time with God!

I invite you to post or email me directly that you are committing to a daily time with God. I will be praying for you. Let me know how it has changed your life!

God is SO GOOD and so beautiful and so much FUN to be with. I can't imagine not talking to Him throughout my day.

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said 'from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water' ". -Jesus, John 7:37, 28