There!  I said it! 
I admit I can’t do this thing called, “Life” on my own….I need you.
More than your help, I need you to be who God created you to be.
And I will strive to be who God created me to be.
A variety of strengths and differences….together we can be complete as the Body of Christ.

And then we all can do this thing called, “Life in Christ” together! 🙂

“From Him (Jesus) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”  Ephesians 4:16  

It’s pretty amazing! I can walk keeping in step with my 3 (!) year old grandson and my 1 year old granddaughter and yet I can also keep in step with my (? year old) husband! How do I do it?

I listen

I watch

I wait

And I humble myself when I move too fast!

I think this is what God has in mind when He lovingly calls us to heed His Holy Spirit for our own good and for God’s glory!

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

It’s hard to find perfect darkness in the night sky.  Stars and street lights shine right through or cast their glow.

Our electricity was just out for almost 24 hours.  Pitch black in the house.  Except not really.  Once my eyes adjusted I could see light and shadows and find my way.

This world may seem dark.  It may feel dark.  Situations are real.  Struggles and heartache are painful.  The darkness seeeeeeems to be winning.

But God!

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:5

Struggling?
Suffering?
Holding on for dear life?

Psalm 13 is a beautiful and honest sequence of emotions unfolded before the Lord.He knows what you are thinking….He knows how you are feeling….and He loves you right where you are.  So why hide from the ONLY ONE who can ULTIMATELY protect you wherever you are?

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?….Look on me and answer, Lord my God…I trust in your unfailing love”

Psalm 13:1,3,5

Can you feel it?!  It’s almost time to get the seeds in the ground!
Maybe some of you adventurous types have seeds in soil pots under heat lights!
Such a hope-filled partnership with God in bringing forth life from dormant morsels.

What other dormant morsels do you have in your life that need the effect of Light?
Any little ideas sitting around waiting to be planted?
Any bad habits that need to be buried in the dark so the Light can bring them to a newer better life?

Think of the fruit, the bounty and start digging!

“If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Feel the sand between your toes.
The heat of the sun warming your bones.
The sound of the ocean drumming away, wave after wave….

But instead of waves of water at the beach, consider the steadfast, unconditional, never ending love of God:
Feel His peace washing over you.
The Truth of His Word protecting you.
And the power of His love washing over you again and again and again…unearned, unmerited, totally out of your control and responsibility.

Bask in the glorious gift of Him!

“Many waters cannot quench love” Song of Solomon 8:7

Spring break is coming soon for students everywhere!

Set aside images of beaches and parties and lots of everything else……and focus on the fact that Spring Break is coming soon – therefore SPRING is coming soon!

What a difference hope makes!

Through snow and ice, it’s time to start planning your garden!
Through cold and wind, conditioning is beginning for your spring sports!
Through sickness and health, you need to plan your summer vacation soon!

So bundle up, butter cup, and savor these final weeks of winter!  🙂

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11

Let’s cheer each other on today!
What victory – big or small – are you celebrating?

Debt reduction?A good grade?
Successful potty training?
Weight loss?
A great sale?
A near miss?
There’s enough competition and comparison in this world.Let’s use our time and our words to celebrate our victories together as we give thanks and praise to the Lord in a weary and watching world!

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.”  Psalm 105:1

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye Heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen.

I love great music!  Especially powerful worship:  Quality music!  Phenomenal yet humble musicians!  A posture and Spirit of adoration of our Almighty God!  Yet……..today in a small group, after a precious time of prayer, we ended in a simple, acapella singing of the Doxology.  Just us.  And God.  WOW!  What more could we need!  So absolutely beautiful and simple.

Read/sing it over a few times slowly and carry the posture of praise to God throughout your day:

It’s a new year!  We’re all supposed to be striving for new and improved versions of our tired old selves…..how’s it working for you?  Are you focused?  Driven?  Determined?  Have you stepped out of your goal-oriented bubble long enough to be run over by the reality freight train?!?!

Now what?!?!

Remember to adjust, refocus and get back on track in knowing that it’s God’s goals that we should be chasing:  prayer, friends, worship, Bible, serving and loving are great goal tools!  🙂

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”  I Peter 5:10,11