Attitude of Gratitude

Americans never seem to be grateful for what they have. There is always the next shiny toy, the bigger house, the faster car.

Yet, if everyone would just stop and be grateful for what they had, life would be much simpler and more fulfilling.

If you have the following - be thankful.

A roof over your head.
Food on your table.
Clothes on your back.
A job.
People who love you.
Good health.
Any other good thing you've been blessed with. 


Be thankful.
Be content.
Dance before the Lord in pure job.
Praise the Heavenly Father.
Sing, or make a joyful noise.

If we'd spend more time being thankful, rather than grumbling about what we don't have, our lives would be happier.

Think about it. 

God Loves You

God loves you. A simple message. A true one. There are no conditions. He always forgives you. He always forgets what you did wrong. He longs to see you and will rejoice when you dance in heaven. Or on Earth. He longs for your worship. For your time. Just to be with you. God loves you!

Thrive

Casting Crowns new song, Thrive, has been playing on KLOVE. It's my new favorite song, and I'm known to turn it up on the radio as I'm driving. I have to giggle because the other commuters, most of which hate their jobs. I can tell by the expressions on their faces, can't figure out how someone can be so joyful.

The bridge goes like this:

Joy unspeakable,
Faith unsinkable,
Love unstoppable,
Anything is possible!

We really were made for more than ordinary lives. How that speaks to my heart!

How about yours?

What is God?

What is God?

The Bible says God is spirit and love.

Also, it says man is made in His image.

So what is man?

Love and spirit.

Question is, if man is made in God's image, love and spirit, is it possible He made other beings in His image as well?

A good question to ponder. 

In the End

 The Bible instructs us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength and love your neighbor as ourselves.

It's hard to love other people when they cuss at you, or flip you off on the highway, or cut in front of you in the grocery store, or...the list goes on.

 Instances where this is particularly difficult are customer service positions, when you're just doing your job and the customer is being unreasonable. Have to wonder why there aren't classes on how to be a good customer, instead of the poor clerk being ragged on , and underpaid, about something they have no control over.

And then employers wonder why their turnover is high?

Love your neighbor as yourself. Difficult in today's out for myself society. Impossible? Some days. Other days, just release them to God. It'll keep you from being upset with them and in the end, isn't it better to keep yourself positive and happy?

I Am

My, dear, dear children. I am watching over you. Today. Tomorrow. For all your days. Know that I see you, and love you. Know that I Am there. Protecting. Providing.

For I Am, that I Am.

You are His

Is your relationship with God intimate? Is He the first person you think of and speak to in the morning and your last thought and goodnight?

Do you take Him with you throughout your day? Does He stand beside you while you put dishes in the dishwasher? Is He ever present at work? Do you release your Children and Spouse to him when they're away from you? Or even while they're with you?

Do you trust Him to the point that no matter what happens, you know He's going to catch you?

Beloved, He holds you in the palm of His hand. You are precious and wonderful to Him. His love for you is everlasting and He longs for the time you will be Him forever and forever.

And when that time comes...will you run and throw yourself in his arms? Or slink away in shame because your life did not glorify Him or you think you're not worthy?

Child, there will be dancing in heaven before His throne and a feast such as we have never seen.

He chose you, before the foundation of the world. He knew you would be His and believe in His son, Jesus Christ.

You are His. Rejoice. Dance. Enjoy.

Unconditional Love

Christmas in Conway is an excellent example of unconditional love given by a man to a woman. The story is set in a small town. A woman comes home from the hospital into the care of a hospice nurse. Her husband has a hard time dealing with both a stranger in the house and the looming death of his wife.

His wife makes a comment about the night he proposed. They were on a ferris wheel. Thus begins the search for a ferris wheel to give his wife a second wonderful memory of what was the best day of his life.

There are struggles, a neighbor who complains he's destroying the beauty of their historic neighborhood. The owner of the junk yard who runs him off more than once before agreeing to the sale of the old ferris wheel. A selfless sacrifice of a brand new motor home in trade.

Forgiving a young man who stole something very precious from him and ends up helping completing the task to bless the husband's wife.

This film gives a wonderful example of how a man should love woman, in the worst possible set of circumstances. A lovely example for any man who watches it.

So, find a copy today. Pop the popcorn and sit down together to watch this wonderful movie.

Time of Trouble

Do you sometimes wonder if God hates you? I know I do.

I'm currently unemployed...again. Searching for a job and at least finding plenty to apply for. Am also searching for a new home since I know that the current one I live in will have to be sold sometime in the next few months.

What's on my plate is ridiculous. Yet, I'm not a complete emotional mess. I've good friends who have been very supportive. What I've been told over and over is that I am very strong.

I don't feel like it at times.

My blessings right now is that I have plenty of money to live on while unemployment plods it way along. I have a roof over my head. I've had many interviews.

I know God has promised to take care of all my needs and my guess is, that I needed a break. My previous job had been all consuming. I got very little else done.

Now, I have time to rest and am beginning to write again. It's what God called me to do. Just proves He's much smarter than we think He is.

God loves me. Even in my time of trouble.

Aliens waiting to hear about Salvation?

In light of last week's topic, All Other Creatures, which tells us as believers to preach the word of God to all other creatures, meaning anything God made, I am now addressing the issue of whether or not there might be aliens on other worlds or even beings on our own planet who need to hear the about salvation.

Granted, the argument has been given that humans alone were created. After all, it says in Genesis we were made in God's image. Yet, what is God really? He is love. He is spirit. Two things easily transformed into other beings or shapes or creations.

Yes, Jesus is the only begotten son. But who is to say that God did not make other beings elsewhere who, even now, wait to hear the good news that will be brought by us, when or if, we ever manage to leave our cradle and launch out into the stars.

I didn't think it a crazy idea. In fact, in my book God's Gift, which is on my publisher's 'to do' list and will be released sometime in the near future, addresses this very question.