Does the concept of discipline bring you comfort or angst?  Whether we’re talking about one smaller piece of cake or one more round of crunches or one less amount of spending, do you focus on the short term loss or the long term gain?

Waiting on the Lord is never a passive experience. It’s a discipline. What can we do while we wait? Read God’s promises in His Word. Listen to friends share God’s Truths evidenced in their lives. Ask the Lord for His strength and peace to persevere. Journal the journey. And most importantly, celebrate big as you praise the Lord for His presence and provision whatever the outcome! 

“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

Wracking my brain, I could NOT figure out how to finish a project. I tried. And I tried. I was determined to get this thing done! I didn’t have time to waste!

But then God tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me that we are better together. I asked for help. Yes I did! Not only did my helpers help me get the job finished, but we shared such a special time together. Joy. Laughter. And a MUCH better product than I ever could have accomplished on my own!

Let’s drop the selfish pride, reach out and enjoy unity!  (yes, even if it takes longer!)

“put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:14

Did you know that animals know how to count?  Our sheep can!

We had 4 little lambs born to one ewe this spring.  If one of the lambs is missing (because I am stealing snuggles!), the Mama Ewe frantically looks around, making eye contact with each of her babies, but she is not content.  She knows #4 is missing.  Our Mama knows how to count to 4!

She also knows her colors.  After this week’s rain she stands at the paddock fence and cries because she sees that the grass has turned from brown to green!

If God cares to create and equip animals with such intelligence and purpose, how do you think He cares for you?  God will count to infinity seeking you out!

“Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”  Psalm 100:3

Be
Only as the
Lord
Decides

Regardless of your season of life, a healthy identity can be difficult to maintain.  Peer pressure, social media, time, money, news, world events, and much, much more are constant drains on the positive influences in our lives.  God did not create us to be wishy washy chameleons.  He created each one of us ON purpose for HIS purpose.

Accept that mission with BOLDness!  Spend more time listening to the Lord and less time listening to the nay-sayers in your life!  (including your own voice!)

Be
Only as the
Lord
Decides

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2

I took my vitamins today….to work….in my pocket…but I never took them with my lunch!  Do you think the vitamins did any good going for a ride to and from work today in my pocket?  Has my health improved because of me “taking my vitamins”? (for a ride?)

This makes me think of my walk with Christ.  Just because I have a Bible/wear a cross necklace/have a Honk if you love Jesus bumper sticker/etc doesn’t mean that I am truly becoming more like Jesus every day.  I need to continually ingest Him.  Consume His Word.  Drink in His sweet presence.  Humble myself to walk with other believers.

As Lent begins tomorrow, it might be a good season to spend some time considering if you are carrying Jesus in your heart?  Or in your pocket…

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”  John 13:17 

Arms loaded with diapers and baby toys…..backs bent helping a friend who needs personal assistance…..hands weary from unloading boxes and boxes and boxes of donated produce…knees bent in fervent prayer….THIS is the Body of Christ!  THIS is how we follow Jesus!  THIS is how we can love and serve each other!  But wow – it can be messy at times!

Just like our message in church on Sunday about the men who lowered their friend who was paralyzed through a hole in the roof so he could be seen by Jesus.  A what?!?!  A hole in the roof?!  That’s not easy!  Or neat!  Or probably very popular to the homeowner!  What a mess!  All so that friend could be made spiritually (and physically) well!

Is sharing the hope and love of Jesus worth a little clean up to you?  A little physical recovery after an exhausting day of service?  A sleepless night so you can support a friend in prayer?

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  Ephesians 5:1,2

Gone are the lines at the telephone booth (picking up the white pages or dialing 0 to ask the operator for the phone number you wanted to call), paying for your call by inserting a pocketful of coins (not an easy app!) and then the navigation of the rotary dial (yes, touching the very public phone – 7 times!).  Now we carry constant communication with us 24/7!

Which do you think God prefers?  The complicated methodology or the endless messaging? He wants to hear from us every moment of our lives!  He loves us so much He wants to be with us in all we do!

Maybe for today we can talk to God every time we touch our phones: Abide in the company of Christ!  Rest in God’s deep love for you!

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. ”  Isaiah 55:6

Can you see it?  Can you smell it?  Can you taste it?  The crisp, warm, buttery, toasty crunch oozing with cheesy flavored goodness?  Smashed together and heated up – the results are divine!

But what if the ingredients weren’t combined?  What if they weren’t heated up?  Just imagine the cold slices of lunch meat sitting on a plate.  The cheese in a block still needing to be put to use.  Any other toppings alone in their jars in the fridge.  Not quite the same.  Not warm.  Not delicious.  Not good.

How are you and your relationships?  Feeling all warm and cozy and united?  Or kind of separated and cold?  Even if it means you need to get all squishy, messy and heated up, God wants you to be a Panini!

“make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”  Philippians 2:2

Long lines and long names sometimes make ordering a coffee a chore…..even if the sweet treat at the end is worth it!

But then I consider a good cup of tea.  The slow boil, the flavor selection, the special cup and thennnnnn the peaceful sip.  Totally different than coffee, tea has its own special role to play.

Like beverages, God has given us seasons to embrace and celebrate!

If these days of February seem long or cold or dark, acknowledge the power and plan of our Almighty Creator, Divine Wisdom, Loving Father and rest in Him!

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him”  Psalm 37:7

I was trying to get settled in church on Sunday….my coffee cup in one hand, my phone appropriately silenced (but let me check a few more times juuuuuust to be 100% sure), my purse filled with a million “just in case” comforts and my notebook and pen….now to find my husband who was already seated.  I come sliding in during the second song and prepare my heart for worship.

Looking around I giggled realizing the similarities between church habits and travel habits.  Some people travel very “smartly”.  Matching bags, easy access, all the wheels spinning in the same direction.  No snack bags or leaking water bottles.  They walk on to a plane and sit down.  They are prepared. 

And then there are the rest of us!  Ultimately, just as prepared – it just looks a little different!

What about in our walk with the Lord?  Our attitudes and our habits?  Do we prepare daily for the journey God has planned for each one of us?

Get your own seatbelt on first and get ready for take off!

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”  I Peter 1:13