What are your thoughts on Drive Thru Church?

There are many times when I have thought of my 'mega church' experience as a 'brief encounter with God.'  It seems scripted and designed for the comfort of the attendees....maybe that's why so many attend?

Ready to Stop the Pity Party?

Are you tired of your pity party yet?

I know so many are facing REAL challenges these days -- including health, financial, career, and relationship problems...but HOW LONG can you carry around worry, anxiety, dread, and sorrow?

Take time daily to release ALL concerns to the Lord and relax (even for just a minute) knowing HE will indeed take care of you.
  
Overwhelmed with your problems?  Dance Anyway!

How do you rejuvenate after a setback?


"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

Make Your Home Your Retreat

 

“With wisdom a house is built.  With understanding it is established.  With knowledge its rooms are filled with every kind of riches, both precious and pleasant.”        Proverbs 31:27

        

It is not the walls, or the furniture, or the size of the rooms that make a house a home.  It’s the love you bring to everything you do inside.  Whether it’s playing monopoly with the kids.  Pulling up weeds in the back yard.  Lovingly, albeit at times grudgingly, doing your tenth load of laundry.  Or placing a meal on the table made with your hands and from your heart.   A home should put you at peace.  That means indulging all your senses so that home not only feels like home, but smells like home and looks like  home too.

            If you truly want to make your home a sanctuary, an escape from the pressures of worldly forces, then take some time to bring a few spiritual touches to your fortress.  Invite God into your house.  Make a permanent space for Him.  Let Him fill every nook and cranny of your home.

            While you’re at it, don’t forget about your ancestors.  Make room for them too by including their memories and traditions.  Say grace before you eat the way your Daddy used to say it.  Set a place at the table with Grandma’s china or Auntie’s silver.  Place Grandpa’s pipe on the mantle. 

            Finally, let peace and joy settle into every room.  Once you’ve prayed to the Lord that He give you a home, not just a house, one way to make sure you literally feel it as a home is to fill it with things scripture refers to as both precious and pleasant.

            

Let’s start with the Living Areas:  We’ve heard all our lives that cleanliness is next to Godliness, but sometimes life get’s so hectic, things start to pile up, the kid’s make a mess, and before we know it our space has gotten out of control.  Take some time to put your things in order.  Get rid of some of the clutter.  Your attitude at home will be so much better when your house is orderly.  We’re not talking about passing the white glove test - but just having everything in it’s place with some semblance of neatness will clear your space and your head.

            Bringing some of nature inside is one way of making a home more spiritual. Flowers and plants can really liven up a home.  Some, such as Fern, Philadendrom and Spider are easy to grow and require little maintenance.  And, don’t wait for someone else to bring you flowers, you might be waiting a long time, so treat yourself every once in a while to a single rose or an arrangement of white lilies.  You deserve them.  After all, if you don’t treat yourself special, who will?

            Pictures of our relatives and ancestors keep us connected to our family tree.  Photo albums filled with snapshots of friends and family are treaures which induce lasting memories.  Make a scrapbook of letters from loved ones, or try framing a piece of jewelry that once belonged to a family member.

           We should have books that uplift us spiritually, especially in our bedrooms. We read them upon waking or before retiring for bed.  And, there is one more thing.  Just like a hotel room, always have a Bible.  You never know when you’ll need to go to The Word.  Some of us read it every day without fail, others of us find we only really open it when we’re in crisis.  No matter what, God wants us all to rely on His promises.  Home should, after all be the place we come to for solace and comfort.  The Bible will always give you both.

from This Far by Faith: How to Put God First in Everyday Living

            

Crossing Raging Waters

“...The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry...The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth those who trust in him.”

Nahum 1:3-4,7 (KJV)

It seems no matter how enlightened we are, how in tune we are, or how righteous we think we are, there will be times when we find ourselves knee deep in troubled water. When the raging waters draw near we frantically search for something to hold on to. We look for a lifeline.

Some of us look to other people to rescue us. We worry our friends and family with our problems hoping to make our burdens their own. Others find temporary solace with drugs or alcohol. Maybe it’s cocaine or Prozac or Jack Daniels, anything as long as it temporarily numbs the pain. Still others are in denial - they pretend they don’t see the water rising around them. But many just fall on their knees and throw up their hands and say, “Lord help me.”

And He will. Maybe not when we want it, or the way we want it, but scripture tells us in Psalms 9:10 (NIV):

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

We trust that God will lead us to calm waters. We pray to Our Father:

“Peace Be Still.”

It makes no difference if you are turning to the Lord for the first time or if you are a constant caller - He will hear your cry. Sometimes we don’t know what to say or how to say it, but, rest assured - He will hear your cry. Or maybe we’ve rejected Him for most of our lives and hate to admit that we need Him now, but don’t worry - He will hear your cry.

Challenges, disappointments, grief, problems, frustrations, we all have them. Don’t even think about navigating through them without the Lord. Let Him be your rock, your armor, and your anchor.

From This Far by Faith by Linnie Frank and Andria Hall (Doubleday,2000)

Take Out the Garbage

It really is pretty simple, isn't it? Either we are going to trust GOD or we won't...either we will follow GOD or we will go another way -- our own way, or the world's way.

When times are hard....when life is uncertain....when we suffer emotionally, financially, or spiritually....we can start taking on 'garbage' if we are not careful. What kind of garbage?

1. Blaming others for our 'misfortune(s)'
2. Envying those who 'seem' to have it better;
3. Shutting out people who care for us;
4. Ignoring what is really going on -- the truth;
5. Doubting our abilities and God-given talents;
   
6. Obsessing over 'mistakes' and 'failures'
7. Worrying about what the future holds for us;
8. Hoarding possessions--and people--"just in case"
9. Denying the good that surrounds us;
10. Refusing to surrender our will to the Lord;
11. Rejecting daily blessings;
12. Living a self-centered life;
13. Looking to others to 'save' us;
14. Cluttering our surroundings (and our minds) with junk;

GET RID OF THIS GARBAGE...IT WILL ONLY KEEP YOU DOWN! Instead focus on the fruits of the Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Galatians 5:22-26

Rewrite Your Script!

You can rewrite your script....change your outlook, no matter what!

Maybe you are facing a lot these days...many people are. Maybe you have lost your job and don't know how you will pay your bills....maybe you are having health challenges or relationship issues. Perhaps you have stacks of unpaid bills and creditors calling constantly....or maybe you are worried about the future....what will happen ? How will you survive?

This is a time when we must take stock of what we can change and what we can't change. What we can change -- in EVERY circumstance is our attitude. If you want to stay stuck in despair for a few more weeks, months, or years--then go ahead and you probably should stop reading now. However, if you want some ideas on how to get past the 'funk' read on:

1. First of all -- the only one you really have to please is God. (Romans 12:2) Wrap your mind around this and act accordingly....and remember:
2. God offers compassion, forgiveness and HELP! (Matthew 11:28-30)
   

Are you still with me? Okay, let's talk about rewriting your script....think about what you CAN change in your life:

1. Just because you feel bad, you don't have to look bad. Accept yourself as you are now, even if you want to change a few things in the future. This means if you are 150 pounds or 250 pounds, get comfortable with where you are now and dress yourself up. Do your own makeover if need be....even if you don't have the funds. Here is a link to some Today Show 'Ambush' Makeovers...check it out! Even if you don't have the funds, or can't hang around NBC in New York hoping to get ambushed for a makeover, you can still get ideas on hair, makeup, and wardrobe changes you can do at very low cost. Ex. color your hair, curl it, roll it up, get a cheap cut...update your look. Get some new grooming products....try a dollar store or discount shop. Isn't it time for a new brush or clips or curlers....or maybe you could just clean and organize what you already have. Try new lotions or soaps....you'd be surprised what can make you feel and look better.
2. Clean up. During hard times, we let our surroundings go. Start in your kitchen and get rid of clutter. The goal is to have a nice place to sit and enjoy a meal or a cup of tea. Keep going around your home. Can you sit on your couch? Are your rooms relaxing? What about your closet? Get rid of clothes you don't wear, even if your closet will be nearly empty. Look at current styles and put together a cute outfit or two. If you need a decent jacket or pair of jeans and can't afford it, check out thrift stores....or ask friends and family for a loan or gift. You may need clothes to interview in. Again, whether you are 150 pounds or 200 pounds...put together flattering outfits (preferably out of clothes you already have).
3. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Find a pot if you have to and soak your feet and lather in some oils. Paint your toenails!
4. Give yourself some flowers....if you don't want the expense...plant your own or find somewhere you can pull some wild flowers...or maybe a friend or neighbor has flowers you can enjoy. Do it!
5. Get out of the house, car, or office! Go outside...it will improve your skin and your mood. Go for a walk or find a bench to sit and reflect. And, while you're at it...open up your windows and drapes and let the fresh air blow all the sadness away!
   

These are just some ideas ...but, the point is...sure you may be tired, depressed, frustrated, angry, dejected, lonely, broke, unhappy...you name it....but you DO NOT have to go around looking like something the cat brought in!

Change your attitude. Look better. Feel better. Start NOW!

Look for the Open Doors

There are times when our options seem limited. Perhaps we have tried over and over to make something work --a relationship or a career, and it's not happening. Everything we try seems to fail.

These are the times when we have to surrender to God and look for open doors.

For instance: suppose you are working at a job where you just can't get ahead...or, you hate your job and want to leave...or, you like what you are doing, but there is constant stress and tension.

Maybe it's a relationship that is causing you remorse...a marriage or dating issue, or a problem with a family member or friend. There is darkness and constant discourse in the relationship.

When you keep running into walls, you have to look for the open doors!

I am not saying abandon all effort to make the situation right...however, stop a minute and consider what God might have in store for you.

Think about what we learn of God's actions in the Bible, in Ephesians 1:11 we are told:

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."

Think about the physical world that God created and how everything flows in harmony...the sun rises and sets...the waves ebb and flow....the planets spin. Likewise, God has a harmony for us!

How do we find it? We look for open doors and go through them.

What are the open doors?

We find the answer to this also in the Bible:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "

Philippians 4:8-9

Where are the open doors in your life right now?