“Thou shalt not covet”. Did you learn that Commandment as a child? Do you remember how serious it seemed…..even if you really didn’t understand what it meant to “covet”? (I just knew I should NEVER EVER take what belonged to Linda and her family…or else!)

What if that verse isn’t about your neighbor, but about your Thanksgiving?

Covet: yearn to possess

Do you covet/yearn to possess your own life? Do you yearn to possess what God has already given to you? Right now…right where you are…with what you have…and with what you have been given?

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Every Day!

“I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify Your Name forever.” Psalm 86:12

A team that is scattered rarely wins.
Unraked leaves subject themselves to gusty winds.
Comparison and competition vie for our attention.

Time Out!  Let’s Bring It In and reset our hearts and minds before the busyness of the holidays. 

 Dig in to your Bible, sing very out loud to some great worship music or find a good serve or donate opportunity!  What a great season to simplify, refocus and cuddle up in the safe and loving arms of our All Knowing, All Sufficient Heavenly Father! 

“He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart;”  Isaiah 40:11

How do you view your life?
Your budget?
Your calendar?
Your personality?
Your past?
Your present?
Your future?

Do you use your personal point of view?  The world’s point of view?  Or God’s point of view?

In every decision, conversation and thought let’s remember to praise God with our lives!

“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”  I Chronicles 16:11

Well, today it is official!

The holiday season is upon us!  Ready or not – here it is!  Can you believe that 54 days ago it was Labor Day weekend – and just 54 days from today it will be Christmas weekend?

What are we to do with the time God has given to us? We can endure it – and we all know that’s not fun or healthy – or we can redeem it!  🙂

Use your jack o’lanterns to tell of the amazing work of Jesus redeeming your yucky self and shining His light through you!
Turn the month of November into a season of daily gratitude.  Or serving others in small ways every day.  Or sending very overdue thank you cards to your many loved ones.
And December?  Make a list of gifts of love – ones that can’t be wrapped but will never be forgotten….and share Jesus in story, song, cookies, time and selfless giving.

For everything there is a season – and the season is NOW!  🙂

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

I recently heard a message on God’s grace and mighty power.
God’s grace.
Mighty power.
Simple phrases….DEEP implications.  I can dwell on these 2 phrases for days/weeks/months and yet never fully comprehend God’s incredible provision available to each one of us!

What verse has God used lately to capture your thoughts and your heart?

“By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him” Ephesians 3:7,8

Pumpkin prices seem to be pretty reasonable this season:
Big pumpkins
Tiny pumpkins
Huge pumpkins
Even white pumpkins

But if you want a bumpy pumpkin with warts, it will cost you more!

I smiled as I walked past a pumpkin display and realized the Biblical lesson found here.  You see, cut any of those pumpkins/gourds open and inside you will find the essentials for life in unique proportions: flesh, pulp, seeds and of course, the gooey, stringy guts/goop/slime/plain old yucky stuff called fibrous strands.  We are so much more than what is seen on the outside; it’s what’s on the inside that matters!

SO why do we pay more for looks?
(I’m not just talking about pumpkins here…)

“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
I Samuel 16:7

Have you realized it yet?!?
Allllll those math lessons really truly ARE important!
Long division, three digit multiplication, even fractions!
But one of the most important functions we need is to “carry the one”.

Those of us who learned old Math remember that when you add 27 plus 89 you think to yourself, “Seven plus nine is sixteen.  Write down the six and carry the one.”  And so on.

That’s a great life lesson just the way God would want it.

We need to be responsible to write down/hold on to what is ours.
And we also need to be kind to our neighbors and coworkers and everyone we meet…We need to put down what is ours, look around for those who are struggling or curious or worried or lost and….Carry the One.

It’s what Jesus did for you.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

Swimming pool
Lake
Hot tub
The beach
A water park

Are you with me?

What about this lineup:
Floods
Storms
Drizzle
Downpours

Not a fan?
What’s the difference?

Choice.
Control. 
Perspective is a powerful tool. Hang up your towel, dive deep in to God’s will and be immersed into His good plan!

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”  Job 2:10

I hang out with a lot of preschoolers these days and I love it!  I love their unending joy and zeal for life – and dinosaurs – and baby dolls – and snack!  Their impulsivity, however, often results in their caregivers reminding them to slow and down and use their words.  Don’t grab or whine or pout or fuss….use your words.

It doesn’t take me long to transfer this experience to my relationship with God.  I love the blessing of being able to use my words with the Creator and King and Lord and Master of the Universe!  I love slowing down and praying Scripture, sharing my heart and singing praise to Him!  But….when I’m tired and weary my cry out to God for help or wisdom is not eloquent.  I sound like a preschooler.  And that’s OK!  God, our Heavenly Father, our Abba Daddy is ready and waiting to hear our cry – whatever it sounds like!

Grab your blankie and cuddle up – share your heart with our Ever Listening Lord!

“Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition.”  Ephesians 6:18

Slightly green?
Only yellow?
Or brown spots?

You want to shake up your friendship?  Have a conversation about the perfect banana!  HA!  It may sound silly, but our expectations and preferences can have a strong influence.  Influence on our relationships and influence even within ourselves.  Our contentment.

You see, if we will ONLY eat a banana that is the perfect color….(or insert a particular life condition that we have perfectly crafted in our minds)….then all else falls short and we are the victims….we search elsewhere….we get angry at others who have received “better”.  Can you feel the unending discontentment?

Our joy and our worth won’t begin when __________.
God never runs out.  There is plenty for everyone.
Let’s begin Today!

“…be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5