The Journey

I'm sitting here in my apartment, the only light is the glow of the computer screen, the only sound is the whirl of the dishwasher.  I've been thinking about this past year.  So many ups and downs.  So many possibilities turned to disappointments.  Peaks and valleys.  The only consistency in my life lately seems to be inconsistency, uncertainty.  I've been afraid to smile at something good ahead, thinking when am I going to find out this isn't real?  Or, what is this going to cost me?  Though I've tried to safeguard myself from certain situations, it is as though I find myself right in the middle of it, again.  To me, the only thing worse than reliving the past, is repeating it. I think of the Israelites...40 years of wandering around the same mountain.  Many never made it to the Promised Land.  Moses, their leader, only got to see it from afar off.  I've been asking God, "How much longer will I continue to walk around t...

Tonight, I have to tell you that I am feeling so convicted!  Several months ago, I watched Mel Gibson's, The Passion of the Christ , again.  I saw this very realistic film in the theater when it was first released.  I wept through the entire movie.  Horrific scenes from the movie have flashed before my eyes several times over the past few days.  It all began when I gave blood earlier this week. I was sitting in the air conditioned bloodmobile on a cushioned "bed" with a needle in my arm experiencing no pain as I voluntarily gave my blood that will hopefully save someone's life down the road.  I was watching one of the nurses carefully carry a bag of blood over to the counter when the thought came to my mind... I sure hope she doesn't drop all that blood.  The nurse was very careful, deliberate, and methodical in her moves as she took the blood over to begin the storing process.  Almost instantly, I heard this startling question, "How m...

Google Images Blessed :  happy; to be envied; spiritually prosperous-with life joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions No doubt, times are hard. Everywhere we look, it seems people are struggling—struggling with finances and unemployment, poor health, rebellious children, etc. Life is bleak. As Christians, we know we have the promise of a better, more fulfilling life so how do we stand on those promises? How do we find that “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8) and “peace that passes all understanding?” (Philippians 4:7) Knowing the Bible is our “life manual,” I have been searching the scriptures to find the answer. In my quest for true happiness, I did not find one scripture that referenced a big house, perfect children, an expensive car, an elite social status with country club membership. Nor did I find age-defying beauty tips or trendy clothing and bargain shopping. Secrets to obtaining those material things we tend to believe...

As Christians, we know that sin in and of itself is deceptive. The biggest deception is the belief that the sin, whatever it may be, is undetectable and affects only the person committing the sin. A phrase from the book of Isaiah comes to mind, "Instead of fragrance, there will be a stench..." (Isaiah 3:24) Today, this phrase and the following analogy collided in my mind. Ponder this... Smoking. Scripture tells us, "For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23). The initial attraction for smoking should certainly be outweighed by the deadly side effects--respiratory failure, lung cancer and heart disease to name a few. No matter your sex, race or creed, whether you are rich or poor, or if you practice an alternative lifestyle, the same risks and side effects apply. Under the weight and anxiety of sin, or the attempt to conceal a particular sin, breathing can feel like a difficult task. I often associate sin with cancer as it permeates, it kills. Obviously, transgr...

For the past three years, I have faced some very difficult things.  I've had to make hard decisions, life changing decisions.  Within the past year, most of those have settled, but there have been what I call residual issues to work out.  Basically, the cleanup after the storms.  You know those regrets and if onlys that linger.  The fight to not to return to old patterns and addictions and temptations... So tonight, I prayed, "God, I don't want to be this person.  I am so tired of struggling with these things.  I know You've said You are working things out.  In the meantime, please help me to wait!  Give me a hunger for You."  I heard, I already have.  You are trying to fill it with everything else. Guilty! I once heard someone say that there is a God-shaped hole in our hearts and that nothing will fill it, but God.  All the desires, all the dreams, all the plans must be His desires, His dreams, His plans for us....

What is it? A temptation is defined by Dictionary.com as an enticement "to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong or immoral." Where does it come from? Usually, it is a device from Satan to entrap you, but often times God allows us to be tempted to test our faith. My mother told me an interesting story the other day that I have been chewing on. It is the story of my aunt who smoked for many years and decided it was time to quit. So, what did she do? She put a pack of cigarettes on her mantle in plain sight and told herself, "I can have one if I want it, but I choose not to smoke." Once she determined to lay it down, she never picked them back up. So, I related that very concept to any temptation. Overcoming temptation is not just by avoiding the temptation, but rather by choosing not to indulge in that very temptation. Sin is very appealing and can suck you in before you realize it. Overeating, for example, cannot be avoided by just not buying food. You ha...

This week I've been praying about a certain matter with my family.  I prayed, Lord, please help us make right decisions.  Help us to be in the right place at the right time so we don't miss what you are about to do in our lives.   One morning as I got into my car, I noticed a Bible scripture that comes to me phone via The Bible app.  The Scripture is found in Isaiah 30:21 which states, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'  I was blown away to say the least!  Last night, I read several verses preceding this one and several after it.  Even more encouragement came to my spirit.  I would like to share it with you.  The passage may seem a little lengthy, but it is so worth the read!  So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.  For the Lord is a faithful God.  Blessed are those who wait for his help. ...