Longgggg ago there was a commercial that scolded:  “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”. I guess the manufacturer made the toilet paper so irresistibly soft we needed an entire ad campaign on not-squeezing-which-encouraged-squeezing the toilet paper! 🙂

I feel like our world is squeezing us these days.  Squeezing us into a mold that isn’t who God created us to be.  Time, culture, fashion, traditions, fears and ignorance make us act like a little child squeezing a fresh roll of bubble wrap!

God has wonderfully created each one of us for HIS PURPOSE!  Each and every one of us…the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the healthy, the sick, the talented, the average, the tall, the not so tall and everyone in between!

Don’t squeeze anyone out!  And don’t let anyone squeeze YOU out!

Read Psalm 139 this week…you are God’s precious treasure!

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139:14

What a phenomena we are experiencing this week!  The heavy smoke from wildfires in Canada has descended on our area clouding the skies with an ominous haze.  The sun is still shining but our vision is impaired.  Even the very air we breathe is compromised.

Sounds like life…..

Crazy times.
Cloudy perspectives.
Ominous gloom.
Impaired vision.
Polluted environment.
But yet…..The sun IS still shining!

Whether you are facing financial or health or relational or any other kind of stormy conditions, the Son IS still shining!  God’s perfect order is still working!  His Hand is still holding you!  He IS good and trustworthy!

Grab your SONglasses and see!

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does He withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You”. Psalm 84:11,12

God is soooooo good!  ALL THE TIME!

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind!
Our mom suffered a significant stroke.  We (meaning the immediate family of 20+ people) had 2 1/2 days to spend by her bedside before she passed away…..praying, praising, crying, laughing, talking, remembering, thinking and trusting God through it all.  We had AMAZING hospital staff who tolerated our questions AND our suggestions!  We had countless family members and friends praying for us, helping us and sharing in our sorrow.  

We had each other.  

Through it all, Romans 12:15 rang true. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  Yes, both mourning AND rejoicing!  We rejoice because Mom is no longer in pain or in fear.  We rejoice for God’s mercies and blessings.  And we mourn the loss of our matriarch.  Our faithful mother.  Our friend.

Thank you to the very many who have walked this road with us!

We thank God for the blessing you have been!

This has been the most beautiful spring season!  God has a perfect plan in place every year, but wow!  This spring weather has been amazing!  The flowers boldly declare God’s glory!

Crocuses start the season….with daffodils and tulips close behind….followed by the dandelions and pansies…with irises and blue bells ringing in next!  Then God sends the lilacs and lilies as the others fade away.  What a phenomenal parade timed to perfection!

Just imagine all the intricate details required for God to provide this colorful display every year!

And YET….His plan for YOU is SOOOOO MUCH more important!  And MUCH more intricate!  And He has a beautiful plan for you to grow and bloom and declare His glory too!

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:28-33

From God to gluten – and everythinggggggg in between – all of life is being debated these days.

What about time?  You don’t hear anyone arguing that a minute is longer or shorter than 60 seconds.  How many debates have you been in lately revolving around how many days are currently considered a week? 

God has a different method…He has absolutes….He doesn’t debate.  

How can we be prepared to live and love well in these ever changing times?

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Colossians 4:2

I learned a new term recently that describes me:  a beverage goblin – Someone who needs at least three drinks at all times. One is for hydration. The second is for caffeine, and the third is just for fun.

Check out a few drive-thru lines….I know I am not alone!

I wonder if we are spiritual beverage goblins….Does God’s Word keep you hydrated?  Do you rely on hearing from God in your prayer life to fuel you?  What kind of  relationships has God given you to enjoy for His glory?

Don’t risk dehydration…thirst for Him!

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”  Psalm 63:1

Apps for our phones have been around less than 30 years….but there is a timeless “App” that we can all use…even if we’re offline!

Appreciation:  the act of recognizing the good qualities of someone or something; gratitude

Pause right here.

Gift someone your next minute.  Spend 60 seconds thinking of the good qualities of someone.  

Thank God for that person!
And then go tell the person!

It doesn’t cost a penny.
Doesn’t take you more than a minute or two.
And yet that “App” will change their day!
Yours too!  🙂

“He died for us so that…we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  I Thessalonians 5:10,11

Do you exercise as you should?
Drink enough water?
Eat plenty of leafy greens?Get 8 hours of sleep each night?
The list goes on and on….

We know what we should be doing, but somehow we don’t do it.
And then what happens?
We worry.  We suffer.  We complain.

This issue is not new with our human nature.
God tried to reach His people for hundreds of years with His hope, His Truth, Himself.But…..they refused to listen.

God offers (and expects!) repentance and rest…quietness and trust….ready to try it?

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”  Isaiah 30:15

Was your Easter basket full?
I hope not!
It seems that God does more when we come to Him empty!

Jesus emptied the temple courts
The alabaster jar was emptied of its perfume
And of course, the tomb was empty!  🙂
 
Hmmmm….we try and try and try to fill up our schedules, our homes, our lives, etc.
God seems to have a different economy!

Let’s dump our baskets and come to Him with nothing so HE can be our everything!

“He made Himself nothing…by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:6-11

Hurry home!
Get the car in the garage!
And get locked in safely behind closed doors!
Whew!  You made it through another day!

Being alone has its strengths.  Not just a time to hide, but a time to rest and recharge.  Ponder and pray for the next adventure with God!

Right before Jesus was arrested He went out to pray alone….a very powerful prayer.

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26:39

In His time alone Jesus got deep, vulnerable with His Father in prayer.  

His time of intimacy prepared Him for the heart wrenching journey that would follow.

How are you preparing for the next step God has for you?

Get alone.

Cry out to the Father.

And then get back out there!

“Look, the hour has come……Rise! Let us go! ”  Matthew 26:45,46