Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Where do I go from here?

Do I have to?

This cartoon is appropriate for a lot of different themes.

"Do I have to LOVE that person?"
"Do I have to FORGIVE that person?"
"Do I have to FOLLOW you?"

It's our choice that can result in our unhappiness.

Why do I need to do that?

What are you going to do?

I think this post is good for all of us.  Sin comes in many forms...gossip, hate, jealosy...

We are all susceptible.
We have a choice.

Cleansing

Book of life

Following

I wonder how many times Christ thinks of doing this to us.

Communication

Does the following picture speak to you?

How many times have you stopped doing devotions or praying because of distractions?
"Hold on Lord, I need to check facebook..."  "Hold that thought, Lord, I have to answer this text..."

Did you realize that we do this to other people as well.  How many times have you visited friends and, during your conversations, had to stop to pull out your cell phone to answer a call or text? 

I think we have lost focus on what is important.
Jesus communicated with people through eye to eye contact.  He touched lives by interacting with people face to face. 
Who you talk to, at that moment, should be (and should feel that they're) the most important person on the earth.  When we talk to someone and stop a conversation to answer a cell phone call, relayes to the person that they are unimportant and not worth the time.
Remember:  we can't bring our cell phones to Heaven.  If we lose the ability to talk to others face to face, how will we ever know what to do in Heaven?...I can imagine that if we did bring our cell phones into Heaven, we would all be sitting around the perimeter of the temple texting, instead of praising God.

Hide and Seek

If you notice, I didn't indicate who was speaking.

There are times when, we feel as though God is hiding from us.  Maybe we are in a difficult time and we feel God has turned away from us.
I think there are times in everyone's lives when we try to hide from God...maybe because we don't want to do what he is asking us to do.

Heaven's Gate

Hurtles

Sometimes we face 'hurtles' in our lives that seem like 'road blocks'.  There are times that we do have 'road blocks'; I tend to think of 'road blocks' as God's way of saying 'No, that is not what I want you to do'.  Sometimes hurtles seem that way, but I think it's God's way of redirecting us.  When I am faced with a 'road block', I tend to put out a fleece.  I am not questioning God.  I am finding out if what is in front of me is a 'hurtle' or a 'road block'.

Focus

Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on our devotions or when we pray.  We are distracted by the people around us, noises, our mind wanders.

Don't let the evil one win with distractions.  Pray to stay focused.

Judging

It's so easy to judge people by the way they act, look, react.  But do you know who they are?  What their background was like?  How their day is going.  What is going on in their life, at that moment or point in time.
We can't look at a person and say we know who they are.

Matthew7:1,2 " Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  For you will be treated as you treat others.  The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged."

Luke 6:37 starts the same.  "Do not judge others...."

James 5:9 "Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.  For look--the judge is standing at the door."

Can't out run God?

Like the last post, when we don't like where God is leading us, we try to do what we want, not what is best for us.  I thought this would be another good reminder that He is in control.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows our future.  And He only wants what is best for His children.

Trying to run from God?

We all try to do our own thing.  We turn from following the One who knows us best, knows our future, and knows what is best for us.  Yet time and again we stop following and try to get what we want, making ourselves miserable in the process. 

Thank you Lord, for your gentle reminders, persistence, and patience

Armor of God

I was recently attacked by someone who tried to discredit me.  I was hurt and heartbroken.
But was reminded the Armor of God will up hold you in ANY battle. I had on the shoes of peace.  Held up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit.  I had on the belt of truth.  (Eph. 6:14-17)

After the battle, I remained standing.  (Eph.6:13)

That little white lie

Have you ever said something that wasn't quite true?

Doesn't matter what it is.  A lie is a lie.

Burdens

Are you weighted down?

Which Path Are You On?

Our Pathways: Are you trying to create your own?
Or are you following Someone who knows where they are going?

Who are you listening to?

Did you ever have one of those days when you know what you should do, but did what you wanted to do instead.

We can all relate to this.

The Love for Easter

Has Easter become all about chocolate bunnies and colourful eggs?  It shouldn't be.  What Is the true meaning of Easter?

Love defined

This is what Love means.

But do we really show it?

Romans 13:8-10
1 Corinthians 13
1 Peter 1:13-16
1 Peter 2:1
2 Peter 1:5-9
Galations 5:22
Colossians 3:12-15

Reflections

New Year's Resolutions

Imagine yourself standing before God at the beginning of each year; making an account of the things we've done, or haven't done.  How would your New Year's resolutions change?