A Smattering of Thought

Life can knock the wind right out of you at a moment’s notice. Life can even kick you when you are already down. Life can break you of your desire to love and be loved… BUT… Life is also filled with amazing moments of laughter, joy and hope. A baby’s cry. A hug from a friend at just the right moment. A note of thanks “just because”. A walk down the beach with a friend as you share your hopes and dreams together. An afternoon of baking sugary treats, just for fun. A long car ride with a friend to a destination undetermined, just driving. A coffee date with someone who just wants to listen, no judgment. A giggle fit with your best friend over absolutely nothing {and everything}. And so many more… So, how are we to maneuver through this messy life?  Do we ignore the hardships and choose to relish in only the good?  Do we wallow in the hardships while overlooking the joy?  Dare I say we need a little bit of both, well, maybe not the wallow part?...

A long hallway... Many doors... A variety of choices... Can I put my ear to the door to determine what could be on the other side? What if I lie down and look under the door, will it help me choose? Do I feel...    Restless?    Scared?    Confident? Or am I standing in the middle of the hall like this picture with my arms raised high to worship the One who placed me in the hall? In all honesty, I may be in the hallway a long time.  That time-frame is not determined by me.  The options behind each door are evasive and unknown, and there is a part of me that does not care.   If my heart is focused on worshiping and surrendering to my God and Savior,  does it really matter what's on the other side?  My response to the joys/pains/struggles/victories that are behind each door will be determined by my attitude while I stand on the outside. What about you?  How will you spend your time in the hallway?

Political campaigns. Wars. Shootings. Terrorist attacks. Unemployment. World leaders clashing. Church members at odds with each other. Driving through the blinding rain I began to think through these events.  Feeling hopeless and saddened.  Then these words started playing… One day Love will wear the crown; One day Love will set us free Hands up high and faces down; Angels teaching us to sing He will be King, He will be King The Great Day – by Michael W. Smith & Darlene Zschech The words soared through my car and washed over my soul as the rain pounded on the windshield.   With every swipe of the blades I could sense my heart yearn for that great day.   My consummation with the hardships and fall of man was turned to a longing for the consummation and return of our right standing with God.    Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. Our God is wiser. Our God WINS.  Click here to see a video of...

Be still (unmoved, to cease, quiet) and know (deeply, intimately) that I AM GOD. Did you breathe deeply as you read these words? Did you sigh a quick prayer of thankfulness? The simpleness and complexity of this short verse always causes me to take a step back and evaluate.   I cannot be still if I don't KNOW God.   I cannot KNOW God if I don't believe He exists. Do I know God?   Do I desire to know God?   Do I believe he is who he says he is?   If we can affirm the answer to these questions, we are still yet again. He really is who he says he is: GOD Upon affirming these truths, we are then able to be still and remember who he is throughout his story from creation on.   Remembering his trustworthiness in the stories of people who also knew Him. Noah,  Abraham,  Isaac,  Joseph,  Esther,  Mary,  the disciples,  and His own Son. He has always been faithful , trustworthy , just , loving , merc...