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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Are you Packin' ?



The assumption, the automatic, rather unconscious conclusion a person can arrive at when we hear the word "baggage" is "burden".

Not the baggage you surrender upon arrival at the airport 
and later claim 
as you spot it riding on the carousel 
with other pieces of luggage.

The kind of baggage that implies the contents could be ugly, scary, every unpleasant thing short of overgrown and hairy. 
Some possibilities may be resentment, heartbreak, anger, jealously, fear, or vengeful intentions. 

However, it doesn't have to be that way. 
It doesn't need to be at all.
Do you see the glass? Is it half empty or half full?  
Or does it have anything in it at all?

Did you look for the silver lining today or was your eye fixed on the grey in the clouds? When your ears heard them, were the birds singing a lovely song or making an annoying racket?

When things went all pear shaped at work, 
did you hang on, expecting it to be better 
or did you run for the door exclaiming, 
"Forget this, I just can't hack it"?

When your spouse made that same cutting, hurtful comment, did you let it roll off your back or push away from the table, head toward the door and on the way, grab your jacket?

It isn't in the situations, circumstance and conversations. 
It isn't in what is fair or good or right and true. 
Often, it isn't in the atmosphere or on the horizon.

On many occasions you won't find
the good thing you are seeking in anything or anyone but you.

So pack your arsenal and be always prepared. 
Be fully loaded with an attitude that expects the best in circumstance and in people.
Move in love, even when you are greeted with hate. 
Never give in, confidently knowing it isn't over;
 it isn't too late. 
Be determined to stand against the ugly, 
but don't allow the ugly to get into you. 

Carry with you ready smiles, and warm hugs.
 Uplifting words and an ever encouraging thought. 
Let people know that chasing a dream is the most fun and excitement life can give. 
That the dream sought, with the right heart, will sooner or even sometimes later, eventually be caught. 


So what is it today that is slung over your back? 
Is it baggage to weigh you down, 
hold you back and rip you apart? 
Or could it be a carefully supplied arsenal, 
loaded for bear, to bring sunshine to the grey day 
and light into the dimly lit space?
Is it possible that you could be the one to carry hope afresh into a hopeless situation absent of all mercy and grace?

Life is an art. Paint in the beauty. 
Today is a perfect place to begin anew. 
The slate wiped clean; the past no longer in view. 
Pack up your arsenal. It's a day waiting with possibility. 
I encourage you to make that new start.

 After all, the sky is the limit when you greet the day packin', 
fully loaded and you do a little extra....
more than just your part!
  

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

0h, my God!



Through open windows and on the street.
From next door and randomly in the store.
On T.V. and in movies; just the same.

It finds my ears as people exclaim........
"Jesus", "Jesus Christ", "God",  "Oh, my God".

These words are used in a manner of expression,
sometimes in an outburst of Joy.....
other times when frustrations overflow.

It's a common thing to do, an everyday occurrence.
It can be heard wherever you go.

These words are used as expletives when, in truth,
they are calling out a name.

Lot's of people don't know it. 
A fact I find rather sad, a real shame.
Others haven't bothered to think it through.
This, my friends can't stand.
In the long run, it will never do.

The name of God, He answers when we call,
No waiting is necessary.
It is a direct line, to one, to all.

El Shaddai.....Lord God Almighty
El Elyon.......The Most High God
Adonai.....The Lord Master
Yaweh......The Lord Jehovah
Jehovah Nissi......The Lord My Banner
Jehovah Raah......The Lord My Shepherd
Jehovah Rapha......The Lord Who Heals
Jehovah Shammah......The Lord is There
Jehovah Tsidkenu......The Lord Our Righteousness
Jehovah Mekoddishkem......The Lord Who Sanctifies You
El Olam......The Everlasting God
Elohim......Triune God
Jehovah Jireh......The Lord Will Provide
Jehovah Shalom......The Lord is Peace
Jehovah Sabaoth......The Lord of Hosts

He answers to each of these because 
He is all the names imply.
Our healing, our provision, our loving shepherd, 
these yes... and all the rest.

You have never heard of this? Of all of who He is?
He is all we will ever need.
Hard to believe the truth of these words?
Don't take my word of honor or my solemn vow. 
Experience it for yourself.
Call out to Him.
Your own personal heart to heaven test.
What you will find, I already know....
An ear to listen, Arms to embrace you, Power to protect you,
Provision to care for all your needs.
All that you can believe for; He is all those and more.

Because God goes beyond.
He always lovingly exceeds.

























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Saturday, April 2, 2016

The Heart of YOU

Life is stitched together one thread at a time.
The thread of every experience, of every action and each conversation.
Wanted and Unwanted alike 
They create a picture that brings clear what will be the tapestry of our lives.
How we process all that comes, imprints our thoughts and hearts.
What we reject and refuse entry into the secret, sacred corners of our very beings determines
often, if we travel crushed under burden or 
stand tall in confident peace.
It has everything to do with the company we keep.

Who do we call friend?
What are our hearts and our time taken up with?

No matter where we are and what the climate of our atmosphere may be, the corners of our hearts can only be accessed with express permission.
It is the place our truest self dwells.

So get real at the heart of you.
I promise its the biggest favor you will ever 
DO for.....YOU.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

We Are Not Abandoned, We Are Not Alone



Say it again, Say it loud and strong.

In the face of crushing
disaster you can declare:

"I am not abandoned, Not alone.
I will not adjust my stance 
Or change my tone."

It looks to be a fully loaded bummer
Of an increasing number
Of topics domestically and abroad.
It changes daily....
Can't keep track of the heartache
Wrapped in thunder
In every season....Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

Sunshine through the clouds.
Smiles through the tears.
Warmth through the cutting wind.
It is a message I must send 
To my heart....repeatedly, to my head.
To counteract the pull towards discouragement;
Good news sifted out from a sea of bad.

Never ending reasons to feel blue.
Overwhelming reasons
to become choked with despair;
A culprit in the disappearance and graying
of my hair.

The rushing, crushing chaos created from bad choices....
selfish decisions, impatient hearts.... 
the constant whizzing by of these poison tipped darts.

We long for it to cease, to have a merciful kind of break,
But the truth is that there are people in each corner making 
plans now and for always...coming to the worst kinds of conclusions.
Minds cold, thoughtless and numb....
Hearts made of granite.
They occupy space in every part of our planet.

We can't carry that burden or shoulder the weight.
We were not designed to sustain that load.... it's far too great.

   A painful experience can nearly rob us of our next breath. 
  Solutions can hide. Evil can seem to run amuck.
You think they hold all the cards; they carry all the luck.

They can have it.... every bit.
It's not luck that turns the tide or evil with the upper hand.
It may appear so....all across our great land
and over the seas on foreign sand.

But the truth is....light will always pierce through the darkness.
God....all strength, all love.
He is near us in our pain, catching all our tears....
Drawing nearer still
Understanding the challenge we face....
Simply holding on, trying  to maintain.

God is above every ugly intention, each secretive plot....
And these are a lot.
We are not abandoned, not alone. 
He has armed us for battle; equipped us with truth.
He has provided us with this armor, if we choose to wear it.

It is not my imagination, it is the absolute truth, I swear it.

You can find it in the Word of God.
In Ephesians, it is to be found....laid out, plain to see
For you and for me.

The whole armor of God.

We put it on like this:

To begin, we put on the belt of truth 
with the body armor of God's righteousness.
The shoes of peace.
They came from the Good News so you will be fully prepared. 
In addition to those....
Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet 
and take the sword of the Spirit
which is the Word of God.

Bad News....Good News
Lies or Truth
Take it in or arm yourself against.

It's up to each individual person. Each personal heart.

God loves us unconditionally....
ready to assure us to be at peace
in the face of the storm.
Even though it goes against logic; the flow of the norm.

Dear Friends, we are not abandoned, we are not alone.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

This Beautiful Transformational Thing



Spring, the time when all things become new.
The landscape turns green, moist with dew.
The baby animals cry out their arrival,
The free roaming ones and the domestic types too.

Easter is upon us, see for yourself;
The calendar confirms it's true.
This is the best time of the year.
The time we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead
To make new creatures...
loved, protected and saved...out of me and out of you.

He did it for every person, not just a few.
He did this beautiful transformational thing.
He did it on purpose, not wanting our lives to be worthless,
aimless, out of whack, completely askew.

Don't get discouraged about getting it right.
 Don't get down in the mouth because everything isn't perfect that you do.

Be not dismayed as the world grows more wild.
God is far from through.
The place to start is to simply say:

"Dear Lord, on this day,
 I want to be your child."




Monday, March 21, 2016

Tail,Tail Signs Of Spring



Tail, Tail Signs of Spring...What does  it bring?

It depends where you are. 
For some, it means planting a garden,
growing delicious vegetables, then boiling,
and steaming them to finally 
preserve it all in a jar.

Spring means warmer temperatures, melting snow. 
The animal world preening, posturing and putting on a show.

The place I live brings the things of Spring out to play.
Birds full of song, 
Butterflies full of color, bunnies, and lizards 
interested in nibbling the grass 
and catching some rays

The flowers dressed in their best, 
present themselves vividly and cheerfully. 

Small dogs scratch at the screen door, 
staring up, with pleading eyes and wagging tails,
eager to join the fun. 
To maybe catch a lizard or chase a fluffy tail. 
As long as he stays on the leash, 
it's harmless and all will be well.

Love or Hate..The Choice Only You Can Make



Love Makes Allowances
Hate Makes Accusations

Love Says You Are Welcome
Hate Says There Is No Place For You

Love Sees Potential
Hate Sees Nothing

Love Offers A Helping Hand
Hate Slaps You Down

Love Gives Strength
Hate Wears You Down

Love Smiles
Hate Growls

Love Begins Again
Hate Insists All Is Lost

Love Carries You Across Troubled Waters. 
Through Blinding Storms. 
Over Towering Mountains.
 Protects You From Harm. 
Encourages your heart to look ahead, 
To Release The Worries And Dread. 
To Starve The Discouraging, 
Fearful Thoughts You Have Long Since Fed.

Love Builds Up
Hate Tears Down 

It Is The Same Everywhere.
All The Big Cities,
Remote Villages And Small Towns.

Hate Is A Dead End
Love Is A Million New Beginnings.

Love Is All You Need......

Hate Is Going To Die,Vanish Altogether; 
If When It Comes Knocking,
You Personally Refuse It.
The Smallest Amount Of Attention,
Not A Morsel Or Even A Crumb.
Be Smart, Don't Behave Dumb

Realize This Is One Beast You Should Never Feed!