How do you know you are doing a good job?
At life?
At your goal?
Your budget?
Your diet?
Your job?

It has been said that what gets measured gets celebrated. It’s easy to measure money and time and miles and pounds – not so easy to measure kindness or devotion or respect or grace.  So how do we know “how” we are doing?

It’s called faith.  And grace.

Faith to seek God’s goals for us.
And grace to rely on His provision.
THAT scale is worthy of celebrating!  🙂

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”  Romans 12:3

Whyyyyy are bad habits so hard to break and yet good habits so easy to break!?!?  

Allow your 8 year old child to skip brushing their teeth before bed ONE TIME due to crazy unforeseen circumstances….they will NEVER brush their teeth again….EVER!!!  Buttttttt drive thru a remote ice cream store 50 miles from home and you/your children will crave that treat every day!!

I headed out the other day, all prayed up.  I had heard from God and was assured of Him leading me where I was going.  I was ready!!!  Until I was waiting at a red light and one teeny tiny thought crept in….fear took hold….doubts flared….and faith had gone out the window.  What happened?!?  I felt like I was sliding around and around the mouth of a funnel, spiraling down down down…..

BUT GOD!  I could sense Him calling me back to our quiet time of prayer that morning.  I had to choose to stop the spiral.

I leave you with a favorite child-like verse.  May you remember to cling to its simplicity to keep you out of the funnel and resting under the shadow of the Almighty.

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”  Romans 12:9

Let’s gather together as many transition in to a new school year – whatever that looks like this year:  first timers, last timers, new schoolers, homeschoolers, freshmen away from home, online at home, new jobs, old jobs, traffic tangles, last minute retail, meal prep, endless paperwork and everything in between!  Praying for children and teachers and bus drivers and support staff and administration – and parents, too!  🙂

Heavenly Father, Lord and Master Teacher, how we love and trust You as a new school year with many emotions unfolds!  We pray that our children will remember You and recall Your truth as they go about their schooling each day.  Help them be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, guarding their words as they interact with others. We pray that they can easily forgive when offended and show love and mercy in all situations.  Help them to shine brightly for You, Jesus!

God, we ask that you provide a blanket of peace and security this school year over our parents, staff, and students. We ask for protection and safety for them all. 

Yours is the Kingdom!  Yours is the Power!  Yours is the Glory!  Now and 180 days and forever!  In Jesus’ name, Amen. Matthew 6:13

It’s that very special time of year…..it’s time for first days:  first day of Kindergarten…first day of a new school year…first day of college….first time for empty days and empty nests.  How did time fly so quickly?  Where has summer gone?

Let’s not allow any more time to slip by.  Let’s embrace and celebrate each season – trusting that God has a plan and purpose and a provision for each one of us!

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Have you ever held a young chick?  One that looks so soft and fluffy and sweet and cute?  After closer inspection, however, you realize that the chick’s feathers are a little stinky!  The downy softness may even be matted down a bit.  What does this little chick need?  This little chick needs its mother to pick and poke and preen and clean it back to its sweet self!

I take this analogy personally.  I can get pretty matted down by this world.  A little stinky at times.  But God welcomes each one of us to come to Him as-is….and He covers us with HIS feathers.  He not only gathers us close to Him, but He lovingly picks and pokes and preens and cleans us as we rest under His wings as our refuge.

Would you rather:  Stinky?  Or safe?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His feathers,

and under His wings you will find refuge;

Hs faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”  Psalm 91:1-4

It was the cutest little sunflower blossom getting ready to open, grown naturally and freely right next to my sidewalk.  Until one night….a deer came along and bit the flower right off!  How did it even know it was there!?

But God!!!

The deer actually blessed me!  You see, that one little blossom, chomped off before its time, has re-sprouted….and it now has FIVE sunflowers!

When has your plan been thwarted – but God has blessed you richly instead?

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

The deer really got me a few weeks ago.  I had a prized sunflower which the birds had planted by a random seed drop.  

Did you ever try to do it all yourself?
How did that work out for you?
Or have you ever relied on those around you – and you accomplished great things?

I was with my amazing church family tonight.  Each unique person brought a special component to our gathering that could not have been accomplished without them.  No division.  Boundless care and compassion.  

Beautiful unity because of the Name of Jesus.  
Find your people – love like Jesus – and shine the love of God wherever you go!  

“equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” Ephesians 4:12

An evening sunset over the ocean
The precious miracle of a newborn baby
The delicate art found in a dew kissed spider web

Ok fine – here are a few more vivid ones…

The crack of a bat hitting the ball out of the park
The glaring shine of freshly waxed metal
The sight, sound and smell of a steak being grilled to perfection

Which one of these is “it” for you – the “ultimate” – the goal?
Which one will satisfy you – if only for a little while?

Let’s shift our perspective….think BIG!!  Imagine the scene when Isaiah responds to his calling after hearing from the Lord.  Just think for a minute of the sight, the sound, the feel and yes, even the smell of winged creatures/angels/seraphim flying and praising God!  
What are you hearing from the Lord today?

“And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of His glory.’

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”     And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:3-8

I’ll be the first to admit it.  Glitter makes me cringe.
The children’s-art-project-all-over-and-in-everywhere-for-weeks-kind-of-glitter.
But notttttt the concept of glitter:  I love a festive celebration!  🙂

There is nothing quite like glitter – a brilliant and dazzling display of light reflecting everywhere!

Have you ever met followers of Jesus like that?
Dazzling beacons of light?
Reflecting Jesus?
Leaving their mark on you after they’ve left?

Go ahead – sprinkle the light of Jesus wherever you go!  🙂

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

I know you’ve wanted to do it!
But have you ever done it?
Have you ever thrown caution to the wind and nodded your head when they offer a second scoop of ice cream on your cone?

God has gifts like 2 scoops for you every day!
They might come through serving someone in need
Or taking a leap of faith in to a new job
Or following Him to a new routine, relationship or opportunity!

Don’t count the cost (or the calories!) God has a delicious and abundant plan for your life!  And it’s even sweeter than double chocolate caramel mocha fudge ice cream!

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10