Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
3/17/2021
Love Spoken in Every LanguageWednesday Matters- March 17, 2021
Everyday Airport Lady I was in the airport waiting to board yet another plane. It was all taking too long. I sat down and realized the woman next to me was crying and shaking she was so upset. I didn’t think about it; it was as natural as could be to put my hand on her back and begin rubbing it. I leaned in and asked, “What’s wrong?” The woman replied, “No hablo Ingles.” So, I did the other thing that seemed natural, I prayed aloud still rubbing her back while she leaned against my shoulder. I recited the name of Jesus over and over because there’s such power in His name. The woman stopped crying and walked on the plane. A gentleman asked if we wanted to sit together, “Oh,” I said. That’s okay, I don’t know her.” “Oh, I thought Y’all was together?” Nope. The woman departed the plane before I saw her again. This is Jesus. This is 2 Corinthians 1:4, “We can comfort those in distress with the same comfort we have received from God ourselves…everyday. 3/16/2021
Making ConnectionsTuesday Matters - March 16, 2021
Everyday Connection Relationships mean a lot to me. Theatre was a great degree for me because it’s all about communicating, about relationships. I’ve auditioned for a lot of roles; some I wanted desperately so “no” was hard to hear when someone else was offered the role. It’s also hard to hear “no” from different stations I ask to air my radio feature. Yet, I can accept the “no” answer, even though it may be difficult, BUT what makes it super difficult is when there isn’t a connection made with the person giving the answer. I want to have a positive interaction with the individual regardless of the answer. That’s what healthy relationships are about, understanding and connecting. Rarely can a response make something better but what makes something better is that connection. But no matter what ends up happening; more words to explain or convince the person will not make a difference. What makes a difference is praying for the other…everyday. 3/15/2021
Love Like JesusMonday Matters-March 15, 2021
Everyday Be Like Him "How do we love and accept difficult people?” Someone asked me that question. I know…right? God loves us ALL and we are all created in His image. The ONLY way to love others genuinely is by the love God gives to us. 2 Peter 1:9 really made me think,” For whomever lacks the genuine quality of love is blind to what they have been given from accepting Christ. Jesus has wiped off, erased from the books, our own sinful lives.” He has cleared us. We’re free. I KNOW it’s hard. You’re hurt. It’s unfair. The “other person” has the problem and not you. BUT love covers. God covers you; He sees and knows all the stuff you shouldn’t have done and the things you should’ve done, and He still loves you. THAT IS the kind of crazy love He wants to show you so you can give it to others! He calls us, command us to love and forgive others just like He loves and forgive us…everyday. 3/12/2021
Living in FreedomFriday Matters-March 12, 2021
Everyday Good Fruit What kind of fruit do you like? I like bananas but only if they’re slightly green. In the Bible we can read about bearing good fruit in our lives, which is delicious and colorful, like the fruit of love, joy, peace and patience. But how is this fruit developed and how does true change in us happen? Fruit only grows quickly in time-lapse photography. Truth needs cultivating and it actually starts with us knowing and playing “the CD of truth” in our minds until it becomes more prominent than the old negative CD we’re all born with. God loves you right where you’re at and not where you think you should be. You don’t have to earn God’s love. Play that repeatedly in your mind. Christ proved His love and acceptance ONCE on the cross by His death and resurrection. The power of His resurrection is the same power available to us through the Holy Spirit. Seriously! We can bear good fruit that’ll change us and those we come in contact with will see that change and be blessed by it…everyday. 3/11/2021
Full of JoyThursday Matters- March 11, 2021
Everyday Hungry Generally, I don’t think most Christians think of themselves as superior just because they’ve accepted Jesus into their lives. Religious people…well yea…there may be a superiority factor there. Let’s say; before someone becomes a Christian, they’re always eating but never really filling up, they’re always hungry. But one day they taste and see that the Lord is good and they realize they were actually starving (Psalm 34:8). But once Jesus is in their lives they’re completely filled up. So, I’d ask the unbeliever, “If you saw someone that was starving and you had at one time been hungry and starving yourself would you be superior to that person because you’re not starving anymore?” A big problem lies in the fact that a lot of people think that Christianity is just another religion of judgment. But Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we could have a religion. He died and rose again so we could be saved and have a real and intimate relationship with Him, one that leaves us filled and satisfied…everyday. 3/10/2021
GossipWednesday Matters- March 10, 2021
Everyday Gossip I saw a cartoon once where three women were round a table praying and the caption said, “It’s not gossip if you’re eyes are closed.” I laughed but it also made me think about how I use my mouth. It’s important that what we share in prayer is either done with permission or an understanding that if the person we’re praying for was sitting next to us we’d still feel comfortable. But sometimes we may have concerns that we share about someone because we need advice and prayer. Nevertheless, it’s important that what we share is done in a general sort of way with no specific details. Regrettably, there have been times where I’ve talked too much. Go to God and sometimes we need to go to the person we’ve gossiped about. Ask forgiveness and be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide from Psalm 141; “Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth.” Cover others in love with your words; words which build up and not tear down…everyday. 3/9/2021
Let Go of PainTuesday Matters- March 9, 2021
Everyday Real Forgiveness Love is kind. Love forgives despite what the other person does. Yeah, I know the part about setting needed boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior. But I’m talking about really forgiving someone who’s hurt you and not rehearsing the hurt by dragging the memory around in your head. I understand. It’s hard. There are those days where you know you should stop recalling the past hurts but then you see the person in the grocery store or hear someone talking about an event and something triggers a past hurt and all kindness goes out the door as swiftly as it came in. I think of the woman prostitute who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and what Jesus said about her; “She loves much because she’s been forgiven much.” Thank God for His grace in your own life and give that to the other who’s hurt you. You need to take the person off your hurt list and let God’s love do His healing work…everyday. 3/8/2021
God Forgives YouMonday Matters-March 8, 2021
Everyday Remembering No More 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 4:32 where Jesus tells us to forgive as the Father has forgiven us. I know…right? That means when we choose to forgive someone, we must choose to not bring up that offense again; to them, others or to ourselves! The hardest thing is to not allow our minds to rehearse the hurt over and over again. ONLY through the Holy Spirit’s strength is this possible and required for freedom to live free…everyday. 3/5/2021
Forgiveness is a ChoiceFriday Matters-March 5, 2021
Everyday Choose to Forgive When someone we’ve been hurt by apologies, it is a gift to ourselves, to assume the person is truly sorry and forgive them. When this takes place reconciliation can begin. There are always exceptions not to reconcile, such as the person who apologies continues in wrongful behavior but more often the apology isn’t accepted because the one offended doesn’t trust the person, they want evidence of change and they want the person to be hurt back. God is bigger than the person who hurt us. Romans 12:19 tell us that it’s God’s place to avenge us. God doesn’t forgive us and say; “I can’t be close to you anymore.” God forgives unconditionally and He chooses not to remember our sin. If we don’t forgive as Christ did, we begin to sinfully judge, become bitter and reject the person. When this attitude is present, our judging has crossed the line and we’re playing God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to forgive just as He does…everyday. 3/4/2021
God is SpeakingThursday Matters- March 4, 2021
Everyday Let the Lord Speak I saw a post on Facebook that made me think about those who call themselves Christians but don’t act like it. Maybe you’ll relate too: The other day, I was hangin' with a friend who calls herself a Christian, but doesn't always act like one. Some days she's on fire for the Lord and some days life's struggles seem to get the best of her. So, as our eyes met, I really wanted to say something to her. But then, I decided to just let the Lord speak. Nothing I could say could have the impact that He could when speaking to her heart. So, I prayed with her and after some time, I winked... and walked away from the mirror. Isn’t it often true that the one we think that should hear, this great verse or teaching from God, is a family member or a friend we have in mind? But seriously, in actuality it’s our very own selves that need to hear “the teaching? Oh, to believe in Psalm 86:15, “But You, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; You are very patient and full of faithful love,” everyday. |
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