Friday Matters

Everyday Fishing

It’s hard when you see a mess in someone’s life, and you know exactly how they should clean up their act. But it’s not our job. It’s our job to give people genuine love, and prayer and then ask God how He wants us to intervene. I believe the best way to live a life of love is to find a connection with others and love them right where they’re at. The Bible has all the answers for getting cleaned up but if you don’t trust the God of the Bible, who has all the answers, you’re not gonna be interested in following what He says.

I love this cliché’, “Be ye fishers of men. You catch em’--He’ll clean em.” Once someone trusts and receives God’s unconditional love, they’ll want to know what He has to say. Hearts open with an attitude of, “I get to read the Bible” and not, “I have to.” The “I love others” fishing program really works. God knows us fully as we are and loves us fully … everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Sick Day

A few times a year I take a “sick day”, and I stay in my pajamas all day. I feel alone. I have issues and even though I KNOW better I don’t feel better. I put my head under my covers and wondered how long I could stay in bed. I talk to God. He reminds me of Hebrews 4:15 telling me He understands everything I’ve been through because He went through it too AND He doesn’t condemn me for our feelings.

Sometimes when we feel closed in, we think God is disappointed or mad at us. But He’s not. He loves you and me, and He cares about what we care about no matter how distressed we may be. He hears our hearts, and He knows what we’re thinking even before we speak. Give it all to God. Tell Him your heart and receive the peace He has for you no matter what or where you’re at…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Real Tolerance

Not everyone likes us, and I know that’s not a news flash. When we follow Christ and call ourselves Christians it doesn’t mean that we agree with all Christians. I have friends of diversity with different beliefs and lifestyles and some things we agree on and some things we don’t. I love people. Only people last forever and how we treat others will be the true legacy we leave behind. No matter who someone is I hope to always listen and learn while being kind. Real tolerance is treating one another with respect regardless of our different opinions or beliefs.

Honestly, I like to be challenged. But I’m not ashamed that I believe John 3:16: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.” This view doesn’t make me popular with everyone but let’s seek God’s approval, not men. Let’s give God’s grace and treat others with kindness and respect no matter who they are…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday The Cross

I’m a mom of four adult sons and I husband I’ve been married to for 32 years. I’m so grateful. Recently at Easter we were all together and after church went out for pancakes, French fries, and bacon and there we talked about the meaning of “The Cross.

And all of us in agreement know we are made worthy, NOT by what we do, or how we perform, and certainly not by our righteousness but we’re made worthy by God’s great mercy. The sacrifice of Jesus washes away our sins and His resurrection secures our future. We are forgiven and set free to live with no condemnation or fear. Our faith walks may look differently but we know our righteousness comes from what Christ did on the cross. Paul speaking to the Colossians said, “God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.” Receive this gift Jesus offers you too with the hope to live …everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Spouse

“Mom, I decided that I’m gonna do what Dad did and let God choose my wife for me,” said our son Joe when he was a teen. And that’s still his plan as a young adult. God definitely chose my husband Dan for me. I love Dan always and I like him… but not always. Dan has always called me his “Pretty Debbie” and I call him my, “Cute Husband.” We have been in places for better and for worse. It’s with respect, honor and grace that we carry on (no matter how short our hair gets or what the scale says.

When we married, I was more selfish and so I allowed God to change me and then our marriage changed for the better to. I thought, “How can I serve over being served?” Asking that question was great along with talking less and listening more too. Making a covenant with God and committing to His love makes a marriage strong. As Tim Kellor said, “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved, is well, a lot like being loved by God…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday So Cool

I remember asking our four sons, “Who decides who’s cool? I don’t get it. You’re cool. I’ve decided it.” But we all decided that it’s “cool” to stick up for someone who’s being made fun of just because they’re different. My boys think Brandon’s cool. He was a rock star/popular football player but what also made him “cool” was his treatment of others, like Josh.

Josh’s mom, Cindy, was ready to pull him out of public school and home school him due to excessive teasing and bullying from peers. Josh had a mild case of autism. Brandon, the popular football player, who had stood up for Josh in the past, heard that his mom was considering pulling him out of school. So, he talked to his teammates and friends and stood by Josh’s side until the teasing stopped. That’s cool. We all want that feeling to belong, to know someone is for us. As Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for you, who can be against you?” You are loved. Stand in confidence and security and help others to know they’re loved too…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Teen Parenting

Admittedly I’ve played the drama-queen parent to our four teenage sons. I’ve failed enough times to know what doesn’t work. Fortunately, I’ve found what does work is keeping my relationship with God grounded by trusting what He says more than what I feel. God is the model parent and out of His love He sometimes disciplines and sets boundaries for us. God wants us to succeed. He wants us to know His grace is continual and His love unconditional. The best parenting advice is to help your child know a personal relationship with Christ. We’re less likely to go against His rules when we trust the One giving them and the grace we receive to follow them.

I try to be a good example because “more is caught than taught” but Christ alone is the perfect example. The best endings to conflict are when my sons and I have stopped talking (or shouting) and listen to each other—and PRAY. Sometimes taking away the phone was an answer too. Parenting isn’t for wimps so let’s keep healthy relationships that are based on love, grace and respect…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Jesus Loves

Jesus loves everybody and He wants ever single person to know His love. Years ago, on quick lunch break from subbing at the high school I ran home and saw Henry who was finishing some painting on our house. I asked him about his arm tattoo and when he told me what it was, I said, “Henry, I’m embarrassed but I don’t know what that means” to which Henry responded, “I’m embarrassed to tell you.” Nevertheless, it got us talking about the meaning of life and life after death.

I shared my belief in Christ. I explained my relationship with Him as a Redeemer and the One who gives us our dreams and helps us walk in and toward them. I even gave Henry a book by an author explaining his journey with God and Henry promised to write to me after he read it. AND as I headed out, I ran into George, doing the final inspection, and he added how Jesus was in the meaning in His life. Who knew a ½ hour lunch could be a revival? Jesus loves. He loves you…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Airport Righteousness

I was in the airport traveling to speak and I was crabby, and I felt negative. Things weren’t right in my head. So, I did what I tell others, “Go to the Bible. Listen to God.” I recited some scripture aloud. Nothing happened (He’s not a Genie in a Bible). I then remembered Isaiah 32:17; “And the effect of righteousness will be peace--internal and external, quietness and confidence.” Righteousness means I’m in right standing with God but it’s not because of anything I do but because of what He did on the cross.

Righteousness means I know who we are in Christ. Quietly I walked around the airport saying what I knew was true, “I’m the daughter of the King. He began a good work in me. He’s working all things for the good. “He’s not surprised by my feelings, and He redeems all things.” And after a while of repeating God’s Word the effect of righteousness was peace-internal and external just like Isaiah 32:17 says. Feelings are indicators but don’t let them be dictators. Receive His peace no matter what’s going on…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Sins Forgiven

Think how amazing it is that God chooses not to remember our sins. He chooses never to bring them up again. In Isaiah 43:25 God tells us; “I am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins."

When you read Hebrews 11, you see a list of the great men of faith; Abraham, Moses, David, etc. yet none of their sins are listed even though they were sinners. This is because God chooses not to recall the sins that He’s already erased. Now travel to Ephesians 4where Jesus tells us to forgive as the Father has forgiven us. I know…right? That means when we choose to forgive someone, we also must choose not to bring up that offense again; to them, others or to ourselves… ever! Probably the hardest thing is to not allow our minds to rehearse the hurt. ONLY through His Holy Spirit strength is this possible and nothing is impossible with God…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Forgiven Offender

God is bigger. We may know this in our heart but it’s acting it out like we believe it that makes the difference. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who isn’t’ sorry for what they’ve done because “it’s so not fair!” And because it’s not fair we want them to know how wrong they are. What does God want? Go to 1 Peter 3:9 and read; “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That’s what God asks, and He’ll bless you for it.”

Do you think God tells us to be good to those who’ve hurt us just because He wants to watch us suffer? No. The enemy works through people to hurt us and if we end up hating that person because they’ve hurt us then Satan’s job has been accomplished two times over. But if we respond with love then we’ve gotten Satan back and he’ll wish he never laid a finger on our lives…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday God is Bigger

God is bigger. We may know this in our heart but it’s acting it out like we believe it that makes the difference. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who isn’t’ sorry for what they’ve done because “it’s so not fair!” And because it’s not fair we want them to know how wrong they are. What does God want? Go to 1 Peter 3:9 and read; “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That’s what God asks, and He’ll bless you for it.”

Do you think God tells us to be good to those who’ve hurt us just because He wants to watch us suffer? No. The enemy works through people to hurt us and if we end up hating that person because they’ve hurt us then Satan’s job has been accomplished two times over. But if we respond with love then we’ve gotten Satan back and he’ll wish he never laid a finger on our lives…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Loving Christians

Ya know, that song that goes; “They will know we are Christians by our love.” We all know people who profess to be Christians, attend church, they know the rules. However, we know an authentic Christian by way they live their lives, by the fruit they bear. God’s not asking us to trust someone who doesn’t take responsibility for their part in a big mess, but He does command us to LOVE “that someone.”

In Mark 21:21 God says that we have the ability to move mountains by putting our faith in Him. Usually, we talk ABOUT our mountains, but God tells us to talk TO our mountains. Here’s the application to talk to your mountain as an authentic Christian by following the Bible; “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them and let it drop, and your Father will also forgive your failings and let them drop. True Christians really love by really forgiving…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Cake MERCY

“Dan, c’mon, please pay the bill. My allowance won’t cover it.” I was asking for grace from my husband as I handed him the bill for spending too much on J. Crew Clothing. Whew…he forgave and paid the bill. But when I went home, I discovered that a stick of butter, my special cake plate and a container of frosting was missing. My nephew baked a cake while I was away. I called and scolded him for not replacing my supplies.

When I hung up the phone, I realized I was acting like the ungrateful servant in Matthew 18. A king was about to punish this servant for a debt of millions but instead had pity and forgave. The servant, not grateful, instantly found his friend who owed him thousands and had him thrown in prison. I got the memo. God gives fresh mercy to us so how can we afford to withhold mercy from others …everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Right Relationship

“What’s wrong with me?” Sometimes that’s what goes through my mind when I just can’t seem to stop thinking negatively or I rehearse what I should’ve done differently (like not opening my big mouth). Yes, I’m a sinner but God tells us that we’re all sinners in Romans 3:23. We all fall short of the glory of God. But watch out cuz Satan wants us to feel worthless. He knows that without confidence we’ll never step out in faith. He knows if he can keep us in the prison of self-hatred, self-rejection or plain not liking ourselves that he’ll prevent us from making progress plus we’ll be a threat to him!

We must believe we’ve been made righteous in God’s sight before we’ll behave rightly. We can’t produce the fruit of something when no seed has been sown. Think about it; Jesus is the Righteous Seed sown in death and resurrected in power so that means we are accepted and approved and the righteousness of God-yes, we’re in a right relationship with God by Christ’s GOODNESS…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Forgiving Family

One of the most difficult things to do is to forgive a family member who has hurt us. We want to make them understand how much they’ve hurt us and then we want them to ask for forgiveness and change their behavior. Yes, I’ve been there. But as I was talking to God about this, I came across 1 Peter 3:9 and it really spoke to my hurting heart. God laid out for me what I needed to do.

“Never return evil for evil or insult for insult but on the contrary bless them and pray for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly loving them. You’ve been called to do this, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing.” “Wow,” I thought, “It’s actually part of God’s plan for me to bless this person and pray for their happiness and protection which means truly loving them as He does. Others will know Him, Jesus, by how much we love others…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Showcase of God

Max Lucado’s book, “It’s Not About Me” tells a story about his friend who has cancer who now can answer “yes” to this question; “Are friends strengthened by your struggles?” It was hard in the beginning because well-meaning Christians confused his friend saying, “If you have faith, you’ll be healed.” But no healing came; only more chemo, nausea and doubts and the friend assumed his problem was his small faith. That is until Max pointed out, “It’s not about you. Your hospital room is a showcase for your Maker. Your faith in the face of suffering speaks volumes.”

So, this man accepted his cancer as an assignment from heaven, a missionary to the cancer ward. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is trusting in what you can’t see, and his friend did just that. One day he told Max, “I reflect God to the doctors, the nurses, and my friends. Who knows who needs to see God, but I do my best to make Him seen...everyday.”

Friday Matters

Everyday Step in Faith

In the Old Testament as the Israelites were soon to enter into the Promised Land they were faced with crossing the Jordan River during flood season with the Ark of the Covenant. God told them to go forward right into the middle of the river before the water would go down and because of the faith the people had in God they obeyed and trusted God. We read in Joshua 3:17 that; “All Israel passed through until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”

I know I would’ve first wanted to test the water with my big toe to see some evidence of God’s promise of the water going down before I stepped into the middle of the river. But often God provides no solution to my problems until I trust Him and move ahead with what I know I should do. Sometimes God wants me to step forward into the unknown because it’s an opportunity for me to know Him better and trust Him with my faith and not my feelings...everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Flesh

I have a strong will. I’m sure someone listening right now can totally relate to the fact that while our spirits may be strong and willing our flesh fails us time and time again. The flesh does not conquer the spirit. The flesh is weak - as Jesus said - and the flesh is a stumbling block to our spirit. What I eat or drink can be good or the amount of time I spend scrolling on social media has its place but when my flesh dominates, I don’t eat, drink or spend time on social media in a way that is healthy. Jesus tells us we do not "watch and pray".

My prayer is this simple, “God You’re stronger. You live in me. I pray Your Spirit leads me in truth and not my feelings by the flesh.” Sharing areas of weaknesses with someone also helps with accountability and strength too. Jesus is for you and He’s not mad at you when you do fall. He will help you get back up with strength and courage to keep on keeping on. He loves you…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Love VS Trust

Can we love someone and at the same time not trust them? Yes because if someone is repeatedly stealing money from us, we can still love them, but we don’t give them access to our bank account. We show compassion for an alcoholic by offering our help. We also show compassion by not “enabling” the alcoholic by protecting them from consequences for their bad actions. Many times, consequences are the “severe mercy” that is needed to get their attention. The caution is to make sure we have not elected ourselves as their jury and judge.

It's the Holy Spirit who guides and directs us in how we should move forward in love which might be setting a boundary or not continuing in conversation with someone when they repeatedly spew out garbage to us. Often, we post and proclaim our hurt more than we pray about it. Trust in God who loves you and the other person. He’ll take care of you both. He loves you more than you know, no matter who you are or where you’re at…everyday.