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

Ready for fireworks?
Are you in a good place?
Is the timing right?
Snacks and beverages chilled/warmed?
Camera ready?

And then you wait…..and watch….and get ready to be amazed!

When was the last time you had such high expectations for things of God?
Are you in a good place?
Is the timing right?
Are you refreshed?
Are you ready to record His wonders?

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”  Micah 7:7

You receive a prayer request
Either on social media or a text
Time is suspended…..
Which do you do first?
Pray?
Or format your response?
Click Love…..or love your friend enough to speak to our Almighty God on their behalf?
Add praying hands emoji……or kneel before the throne of grace?

We all need the comfort of a response, but let’s not sacrifice the power of authentic prayer!

“God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”  Psalm 66:19

That title sounds like a police command, but it’s actually a reflection of an emoji!  🙂 I often use the “Person Raising Both Hands in Celebration” emoji when I want to thank God for what He has done!  Just recently I discovered the very action of raising both hands in celebration requires empty hands.  It’s hard to lift up open hands if you are holding on to anger….or bitterness….or spite….or fear.

So drop the load you are holding on to, empty your hands and open them up in thanks and praise to God!

“Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.”  Psalm 64:3,4

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