All In The Name

A friend of mine told me a story I thought was worth sharing with you.

He and his friend were out shopping. His friend found a shirt he liked and looked to see the price. "How could a T-shirt cost $200.00?" was his indignant reply.

My friend said, "Look at the name. The value is in the name.  I carry the name of Christ because I'm a Christian. That name gives me great value." 

How profound, I thought. I also thought that how I use that name greatly affects whether other people want the same for themselves.

Is there a demand for others wanting to wear the name of Jesus? If it looks good on me, there will be.


12/30/2016

Gifts For Christmas

At Christmas time people exchange gifts. And Jesus has many gifts to give with great expectation of your response. Have you taken possession of these priceless, life-changing gifts? 

Jesus has spent a great deal on these gifts. Greater than gold is the gift of His life. More precious than silver is the gift of forgiveness. Of what value do you place on the gifts of faith, freedom and love? Is there any value worth more than the promise of His presence or His guidance? 

All these gifts are yours, and many more waiting, at the foot of a tree, where the ultimate sacrifice purchased these gifts. Without a moment's hesitation, He pushed forward because He thought you were worth it. He pursued the joy of a future with you.

Have those gifts been useful to you? Have you unwrapped them and read the directions on how to use them?  Have you ever stopped to count how many gifts He's bought you?

This is your greatest Christmas ever! Look at how many gifts you actually have!

Now, what have you bought for Jesus? What gifts do you have to give Him? 

12/15/2016

God Help Me

When we pray, why do we ask God to help us, as if we were the master and He the helper?

How about we get out of the way so the Master can do His work?

12/12/2016

Awaiting Reception

Each day Jesus holds out His open hands to us. Without a word, His eyes beckon us to look in His hands and the gift awaiting our reception. With a twinkle in His eye and a faint smile He waits.

“Go ahead, take it, open it.” 

SURPRISE!  It’s a box full of LOVE!  With chocolate and sprinkles. 

How did He know?  It’s what I've always wanted!

12/10/2016

No Wine?

Mary approached Jesus with a whisper "we have run out of wine."

I decided to devote this day to seeking God for resolutions and prayer, for you see, I have run out of wine. Feeling drained to the dregs where there is not a drop left. So I come before my maker not with a request but with a statement of fact. There is nothing more left within me to give. Have you ever felt this way?

I am waiting in great expectation for my refill. I'm taking a step back away from the clamor and demands to allow Jesus to recharge my drained battery. My prayer is that He has saved the best til last.

Greatest Deception

How could I have spent over half of my life thinking that I was doing the right thing only to find out I was wrong?

Yes, I am grateful my eyes have been opened.  But it goes to show that I was so focused on what was happening around me that I neglected to realize the greatest deception in my life…

…self deception. ugh

12/07/2016

The Greatest Distance

The greatest distance we may be asked to travel is the distance from where we are to where we could be.

When we are willing, Jesus would like to take us there.


12/1/2016

The Gift Of Awe

The Father of lights has dressed and visited the intricacies of nature in colors and sounds that speak of His undying love.

For those who pause long enough to see their order and form, or hear the humming of the wings as the noble geese declare their way across the miles in migrations flight, there is awe.

For the soothing sounds of the tumbling brook on its joyous journey to the sea, there is awe. 

For the mosaic of color swaying in the cool breeze from the hilltop, as the wildflower waves to those transfixed at its beauty, there is awe. 

For the jeweled dance of twinkling lights in the midnight sky, there is awe...and a great silence. 

And yet, all creation shouts, clearly, to hearts open to its call.

If we focus on life's grand potential that is woven into the fabric of all of God's handiwork, then we instinctively recognize the glorious possibilities that lay before us rather than the limitations that bring about a stagnate disillusionment. 

Gandhi once wrote, "There is more to life than increasing its speed."

How powerful is a moment that is met with purpose!

Determine to take a pause for that powerful moment each day to look, to listen, and to breathe in the sweet fragrance that this life still affords us. Relish the gift of awe!



11/30/2016