Do What You Can to Love

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." John Wesley

We are faced with a lot of dissention and "choosing sides" right now in our country over a number of topics. It's hard to know the right things to do in these circumstances. 

But instead of being the loudest voice...instead of screaming "I am right and you are wrong..." what if we chose to open our eyes, open our ears, our hearts, and our minds? What if we truly looked at things from others' perspectives? What if we choose to have uncomfortable but respectful conversations about what it's like for someone different than us? What if we chose to pay attention to injustices done, even if they don't happen to us? And then what if we chose, not a "side" to shout from, but rather a position of love? What if we stopped tearing each other down and letting the media feed the frenzy...and just treated each other with love and respect. We don't have to agree on every point to LOVE. We don't have to agree on every point to VALUE others. To care. To respect. To comfort. To ask, "How can I help?" Surely we can all do that, whatever our views. How can we change the conversation this week to one of love?

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

Journey on! 

Contentment and Happiness

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have." -unknown

Sometimes it feels like if we could just have more, we would be happy. If only I could have a better job, or a better house, or a spouse, or a child, or more respect... if only I could acheive more in life...the list goes on. We all have deep desires in our hearts. Those dreams have purpose. It isn't that we should let our dreams go, but we also shouldn't wager our entire happiness on whether or not those dreams come true for us. God has a plan for our lives, and we have to find a way to be content with his timing. It's not easy. But we can't have peace and joy in this moment of our lives without understanding patience and contentment. Look at the blessings you have and be thankful. Trust God and know that if what you desire is truly God's will, it will happen someday. Ask Him to give you patience to wait on Him.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

Journey on!

Don't Stress- Rest

I don't know about you, but I carry my stress in my shoulders. It seems like throughout the day, every meeting, to-do list, phone call, project and conflict that occurs pile up like bricks on my shoulders. At some point in the day, I finally realize that I'm holding my shoulders practically up to my ears from all the tension! I have to take that moment to stop and relax, releasing all the pent up stress and dropping my shoulders back to where they should be. The Bible tells us we don't need to be shouldering our burdens alone. Jesus is with us offering to carry all our stress, fears and worries if we would just give them up! Take time everyday to make yourself aware of the stresses you are carrying. What things can you lay at Jesus' feet today, and allow Him to bring you peace? 

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Journey on!

Light

We live in a world that is blatantly imperfect- we see the evidence of sin and evil around us...and sometimes those things feel discouraging. But the great news is, we don't have to let this world drag us down! People say, "It wasn't like this when I was kid," but the truth is that sin has been around since the Fall of Adam and Eve, and it just takes different forms in each generation. But what was true all the way back in that garden is still true now: there is nothing so big that God can't handle it. God has already won this battle, and for those who simply trust in Jesus, we are walking in the light. If you find yourself being brought down by the news' stories, or broken relationships, or other difficult circumstances in this world, remember that you are God's child. Remember that He is your refuge. He is your Light in the darkness! And His light will shine in your life like a beacon of hope. Don't be discouraged. He has overcome!

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Journey on!

Faith for the Future

We spend a lot of time planning for the future, which is wise, but it's also important to remember that our future is in God's hands. If you are feeling worried about how things are going to turn out, remember that the Lord loves you dearly. Look to Him for guidance on what you should do next. Pray for His favor as you work towards admirable goals. Seek His face when you decide what steps to take next. And be wholly encouraged that He will work things together for your good (Romans 8:28). We don't have to be afraid of the future as long as we have faith in God. Keep Him at the center of your plans and trust in Him to guide your way. 

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Journey on!

Handling Hardships

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." Henry Ford

You had a bad day. Things didn't work out. You made bad decisions. But these temporary downfalls we face can be overcome. God has a plan for your life! He loves you dearly. He forgives and offers grace. He closes doors sometimes, but opens the right ones. We simply have to keep our focus on Him. All the ups and downs in our lives can either destroy us or strengthen us. When we take our trials to the throne of God, He will guide us. Our mistakes help shape us if we learn from them and continue to trust in God. Don't let your failures defeat you and bring you down. Take a breath and get back up. Keep adjusting to make sure that God is at the center of your life; He will take care of you even in the tough times. Life isn't always easy, but how you handle the hardships determines whether you rise above them or not. Stay faithful to God and look to Him, and you will overcome by His power and grace.

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

Journey on!

Rest

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” 
― John Lubbock

We live in a very busy culture where constant activities and work seem to signify success. It can be hard to allow ourselves to rest when there is so much to be done. Some may take this the wrong way and think it an excuse for idleness, but the truth is we NEED rest! Rest helps us be better at the things we are trying to do. It renews our strength. It helps us be more focused. It keeps our bodies and minds in better shape. And rest affects our spiritual well-being, too. When we are fatigued and over-worked, we are more likely to find ourselves struggling with sin. We are more susceptible to snapping at our families. We are less likely to take time out for prayer and devotion. Rest is vital for all areas of our lives, and we should allow ourselves space and time to rest.

What can you do to carve out more time for rest in your day? 

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2

Journey on! 

Living for Him

We are here because God created us and He is working in us everyday. He has called us to live in a way that shines His light to the world. It is amazing to see the beauty of God in our everyday lives, and we need to open ourselves up to learning new things from Him everyday. Be humble and willing to grow in Him. Pray and seek His face. Read His Word and find a new appreciation for His message. Seek daily to become more like Him, not because our hope is based in works, but  because we respond to His goodness by living for Him out of love. When we spend more time cultivating a healthy, active spiritual life- a real relationship with God- it will spill over into every other area of our lives in a positive way. What can you do this week to grow closer to Him? 

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God
has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Journey on!

Trust and Know

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

I remember staring out at the water, breathing in the sea air and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. Something about the water always makes me feel closest to God. That day I was staring into the waves and watching them crest and fall with a heavy heart, a confused heart...a desperate heart. "Why do You allow me to have desires for things that may never be given to me, Lord?" I asked. I didn't hear an answer that day. But I always felt His warmth. For years and years I asked this of God and He loved me still. I read Prov. 3:5 and found myself truly struggling to keep trusting. I had good days of truly surrendering to Him, and low days of wanting to give up. But while my life felt turbulent and unresolved, He never changed. He still loved me, He still had a plan for me, and He wasn't willing to let go of HIS best for me just so I could get my answer faster.

Looking back now I see why I had to wait. I see the beauty and perfection of His plan, even though it was not how I wanted it to play out. If you are in the midst of a struggle with God, hear this and know that He really does hear you. Be patient, be humble, be willing to let go even if it means not getting your way. Because truly, His ways are higher than our ways, and one day you will see what He already knew all along. God bless you and comfort you in your journey.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

Journey on!

Worry or Trust

Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough." Francis Chan

Our God has an incredible plan for our life. But sometimes, when we can't see where exactly He is taking us, it can be hard to relax and trust in Him. We want to be able to control situations that can't be controlled. We want to know about the bumps in the road ahead of time. We think we know what makes sense, what's best, and what should happen...but we are functioning with limited information. We see the tiniest fraction of what God sees! He knows what's best for our lives. He knows that sometimes the things we want most are actually going to hurt us. Sometimes the doors that close are bullets dodged. And when we don't realize that, and we forget about the amazing, loving God who is completely in control, we often let worry take over. What are you worrying about this week? Take time to recognize where you are worrying and how you can release those fears and trust in God. Pray for God to comfort you and give you peace, and thank Him that He is bigger than anything you face. 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3

Journey on!

Every Detail

“No detail of your life is too insignificant for your heavenly Father’s attention.” Jerry Bridges

My daddy used to get me to fall asleep at night by counting every single hair on my head. He would tell me that God put each one of those hairs on my head, and I would lie there thinking in wonder about a God who would care about literally every hair, every grain of sand on every beach, every star in the sky...when I think about this now, even as an adult, I am every bit as awed by the fact that God cares about such tiny details. That little curve in your dimple, the way your voice pitch raises when you laugh, the many small kindnesses you show to others everyday, the tear you shed for a friend. Every. tiny. detail. Millions and millions of details...and God cares deeply about every one. How blessed are we that God cares so much for us? Thank God today for loving you so deeply. And if you ever feel unappreciated or like no one sees all the incredible things you do, know that God sees and is so proud of you, His child.

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:30-31

Journey on!

Gift of Grace

"The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder." Dwight L. Moody 

It can be difficult to accept God's grace. We feel guilty. We feel like we've fallen too many times. If this were a job, we'd be fired by now! The burden and shame of our guilt causes our spiritual vision to be clouded. When this happens, we forget to pay attention to the truth that matters- God loves us and forgives us. He is compassionate and full of mercy. While our sin angers and hurts Him, it doesn't ever make Him stop loving us. And when we turn back and ask for forgiveness, He gives it freely and without condemnation! Look at the story of the adulterous woman in John 8. Jesus tells her, "neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." (vs. 11) God doesn't want us to live with shame- He wants us to lay down all our burdens and sins and accept His grace and forgiveness. He wants us to live our lives in His fullness. If you are holding on to shame, leave it at His feet today and experience the mercy and love He is offering to you.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him." Daniel 9:9 

Journey on!

All We Need

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.” 
― Ann Brashares

Do you ever think to yourself, "If only I had more money, then I could be happy." I think we all face times when we wish we had just a little bit more- enough to get out of debt, take a vacation, do more with our business, buy new clothes, send our kids to private schools. The possibilities of what we could do with "more" seem endless. But when we focus on all the things we don't have, we forget to appreciate the incredible number of things we do. It isn't wrong to want things or work towards goals, but it is not beneficial to allow our desires for more to ruin our attitudes, make us envious of others, or turn us bitter and ungrateful. If you find yourself feeling frustrated because of something you are lacking, remember this verse: 

 "Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10b

How can you keep yourself from feeling ungrateful and wanting more, more, more? By being thankful. Take time out this week to really focus on every blessing God has given you. Count the ways He has shown His love to you. When we focus on His amazing blessings, we can't help but be content, because we have all we need in Him. 

Journey on!

A Morning Prayer

God, when I wake in the morning, help me to take a deep breath and pause before I even get out of bed. Help me remember what a blessing it is to be alive...to know that every step I take today, You will be with me. I want to start my days, not with the alarm and the emails and the to-do lists, but with YOU. Thank you, God, that You are stronger than anything I face and that my hope is in You. I will lean on You when I struggle today, and I will give thanks in my heart for the blessings that come my way. Help me to see the world through Your eyes and love others intentionally. Show me how I can grow today. Teach me new things about Your Word and about Your love. You are my Rock, and I put my trust in You.

"From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

Journey on!