Check Your Wallet


What’s inside YOUR wallet?  Other than credit cards and maybe a teeny tiny bit of cash?I’m a pretty simple shopper and yet I found 11 different loyalty cards in my wallet!

Grocery stores, library, Panera, CVS, and a few gift cards from Christmas.
Other than weighing down my wallet, what purpose do these cards serve?

I belong.
I am welcomed.
People know my name.
I am worthy of value.

Hmmmm….sounds kind of silly to rely on a little piece of plastic to provide all that.Especially if I misplace my wallet (or if my purse dumps out and my cards go flying!) 🙂

Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we have all that and MORE!
And the benefits never expire!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  I Peter 2:9

People


How did you just say that word – People…..?
Like Barbara Streisand? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPlQ6EtArSc
Or like an exhausted food server who wasn’t tipped?  PEOPLE!

Or according to God’s design:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14

Any questions?

Do You Believe?

Did the weather forecasters get this snowstorm right in your area?
Did your app unfold the weather pattern accurately?
Howwwww did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow!?
Here’s the real question:
If we are frustrated with errant weather predictions, why do we keep tuning in hour after hour, day after day?!
Why do we keep believing the authorities?
What if we look at God as our Authority this way:
Have we spent as much time seeking God’s Words and His plans instead of predictions and opinions?
How much time do we spend discussing the trends where we see God at work?
How many times has our Bible app been opened compared to our weather app?

May our actions reflect our heartfelt beliefs!

“Jesus said, ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  Mark 9:23, 24

Nowhere Else!

Thinking of a dear friend who was just diagnosed with cancer….again.Or a young military family transferred hundreds of miles away from home.Or the single mom taking care of her young son with special needs who just had brain surgery.Or each and every one of us during seasons of change and difficulties.
How can we “rest” in God?  How can we confidently trust Him? We all find ourselves in sticky and fearful situations.
I learned a new saying a few weeks ago and I love God’s all-knowing ever-presence implied here:If this is where God has me, There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Think about that:If this is where God has me, There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Yes, it takes wisdom and discernment, prayer and submission to know what God wants for your life. But even after all that, if your situation still doesn’t make sense, be assured:  God sees. God cares. God knows.
“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You planned for us.”  Psalm 40:5

Tangled!

Twice in the past week I’ve watched the hands of time stand still.
Literally!
Both times a person was oblivious to what was happening and an object got tangled in the hands of a clock! Yes – An old fashioned analog clock with moving hands!

How are you doing with your management of yourself during this time?
Are you paying attention to the Lord first and most often?
Are you feeding your body and your spirit with things that are good for you?
Are you seeking Truth in all circumstances?

Don’t get tangled by the demands and constraints of today.

“My salvation and my honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God is our refuge.”  Psalm 62:7,8

SING!

Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad.

Maybe you remember that song from Sesame Street?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU0MIJI-iio
The innocent days. The simple comfort of uniting over music with friends.


Or maybe a little throw back to the early days of Coca Cola!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW9cuta7mdE

I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company

Taking a deep breath and exercising your lungs is a healthy activity!
Filling your mind and your home with beautiful music is beneficial for everyone!
But let’s take this to the next level and sing beautiful music to the Lord!
The command to SING is given over 100 times in the Bible!
Let’s raise our voices and our hearts and thoughts to the One who is worthy!

“Praise the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His faithful people…
Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.”Psalm 149:1,5

What If…?

What If…?

What if this crazy life really truly wasn’t about our comfort and our success, but rather was about, as Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story.”
What if God has brought us to this point in order to live out the rest of His story!?

Those in the Old Testament learned from stories of earlier generations.
Those in the New Testament learned from stories of the Old Testament.
Now we get the privilege to read how God worked in the Old and New Testaments.
What will our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren read and learn?
What will your friends and neighbors and coworkers learn by watching you Today?
It’s actually a relief to live for God and not for this world!
Lean on Him and His schedule, His priorities, His provision, grace and mercy!

“Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”I Timothy 4:16

Today is a New Day! 12-29-2020

Ten years ago, God gave me the opportunity to write a weekly devotional for my sweet nephew, Trey, who at the age of 2 had just been diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer. (You can read it all here.) Trey won the victory in 2014 when he went to be with Jesus, but the devotional continued as a way to offer comfort and encouragement. December 28 marks 10 years of weekly devotionals called, Trey Tuesday.

Today is a new day! Today, December 29 marks a new beginning. A new opportunity to share God’s Word, just in a different place. Thank you for finding us here at AHeartforHome.org where faith, family, and friends are a priority!

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” Hebrews 3:13

Join us TODAY and every week as we walk with God!