“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.”
Psalm 150:6

Looking out at our night sky lately reminds me of a Christmas carol:
Joy to the World, the Lord has come….let heaven and nature sing!

Whether we have winter or spring-like weather, nature is singing!
The planets are shining brightly and singing God’s praises!
And even the robins are back and singing!

How about you?
Whose song are YOU singing these days?

Were you ever so desperate you just wanted to stand up and scream, “HELP”!?!?  Wouldn’t it feel good to shriek and bellow out your frustration and pain?

Do you know a good antidote for feelings of helplessness?
Go help someone else!  🙂
Find something you believe in….your passion….your joy. Get lost in time and space.  Give of yourself.  Share generously.
And God Himself will meet your needs in the most amazing of ways!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

Today’s verse is a simple thought….yet a very deep and significant challenge!

“Do everything in love.”  I Corinthians 16:14

I can hear you right now:  There is no way on earth I can do EVERYTHING in love!?
Cut the grass?
Grocery shop?
Do my taxes?
Sit in traffic?
Deal with _____?  

That’s exactly the point:  There is no way ON EARTH.
It is a supernatural feat!

God is the Author of love, so let’s speak His language!
“Be on your guard;
stand firm in the faith;
be courageous;
be strong.

Do everything in love.“
I Corinthians 16:13-14

A cupcake made me cry today.  A cupcake!

A precious 4 year old shared the cupcake with me today.

The millionssssss of circumstances which God orchestrated in order to make this cupcake sitting on my desk possible blew me away!  This story is almost 30 years in the making….30 years of God’s Hand leading and guiding, weaving people together, sharing and shaping everyday life in to something unbelievably extraordinary!

With our noses to the ground, our fears and worries on our minds, and our focus on our humanity, we may miss the lessons and life God has for us.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.
He is the Way.
The Truth.
The Life.

And get your tissues ready!

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.”  Isaiah 26:4

Together
Everyone
Achieves
More

You’ve probably heard that acronym before – in an attempt to get everyone to pull their own weight, chip in a little more, motivate the unmotivated.

But what if God isn’t interested in us achieving more?
Let’s trade out Achieves for Agrees!?
Or Affirms?

What a difference we can make – together!  🙂

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”  Psalm 133:1

I’m going to ask for your help on this one today!

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

Holy means set apart.  Yes!  God is definitely holy!
What comes next?
The whole earth is full of God’s glory!  Considering God’s holiness leads us to seeing His glory!  Glory – such an inexpressible concept!

How do you experience God’s glory?
When do you feel it?  See it?  KNOW it?

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”  Romans 1:20

The football stadiums were PACKED this weekend!
Play Off season is so exciting:
Everyone gathers to cheer for their team!
When a touchdown is scored the stands ROAR with excitement!
The victorious team screams and shouts together!

Are you on God’s Team?  Are you cheering for all things Jesus?

Imagine what that would sound like if we all chose to shout our praise to God when we were together!  Would we roar with excitement?  Would we scream and cheer the victory?

Try it tomorrow….quietly…so as not to shock your family, school or coworkers!  🙂
When you recognize the grace or peace or joy or love or provision of God, find a brother or sister in Christ and cheer for God…..together!

“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good; His love endures forever.”  2 Chronicles 5:13

Puppies
Chocolate
Favorite hoodie
Afternoon naps
Football
Choose just 1 or choose them all at the same time!  🙂 

The holidays are over and the credit card bills and winter blahs have arrived. We don’t need to surrender to the negative (except I highly advise you DO pay your bills….). Choose joy!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:9,11

We ask God for an open door when we are praying about a decision so we know which way to go.
But what about when God sends you an open door – that you weren’t praying about?
When God provides a new opportunity for you to grow in your dependence on Him?

Do you tremble in fear and wait for God’s “nudge” to make you cross the threshold?
Or do you run out that open door like a yellow lab off a leash? 🙂

I love the saying I’ve been seeing: Live like someone left the gate open!

Let’s live out loud for Jesus that same way!

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!
How are you spending these in-between days?!?

Don’t stop now!  We have one last gift to give this season.
The gift of ourselves.
To God.

Steal away for 5 minutes, 1 hour or a whole day.
Alone.
With your Bible.
And maybe worship music.
Perhaps a journal.
Or a sketch pad.

Read. Pray. Listen. Wait.

Put yourself first this week for a change and make an old year resolution to rest in the Lord.

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God”  Psalm 46:10