Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
6/14/2019
Mind Your ThoughtsFriday Matters-June 14, 2019
Everyday Choose Your Thought Life I just stared at my journal looking at the verse I had written down from Psalm 139:5, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” I didn’t believe it. I was feeling sorry for myself and God felt far away so I slammed my journal shut. We have a choice on what we think on and I was making bad thought choices. I felt my circumstances weren’t fair and I was tired of waiting. I know where the “Poor Me” road leads so out of obedience I put on fun music and said the verse aloud, “God I trust You. Your hand of blessing is on my head. It wasn’t an immediate shift in my attitude but the choice to think on what I knew was true and then names things aloud that I was thankful for, made a difference. The truth is, God loves you right where you’re at, no matter how you’re feeling …everyday. 6/13/2019
ScoliosisThursday Matters-June 13, 2019
Everyday I am Debbie I am Debbie with a slight curve of scoliosis made less noticeable with the surgery I had as an adult. I am Debbie who needs to look everyday in the mirror and wonder what else I can do to my hair that will change my life. I don’t want to care about it so much and there are times I don’t and I walk out in my pajamas to get groceries or record my radio feature at the station. Everyday, I have to remember the way He sees me despite my moral failings and missteps and bad hair days. In life’s journey we all want to be known and loved and Jesus knows us better than anyone and still loves us. He knows me, my pain. HE IS here, waiting to make creative, redemptive use of what has happened. He is always on the move. He isn’t wasting time thinking about all the trouble He has with us or how awful we feel about where we are with ourselves and our troubles. God loves us unconditionally…everyday. 6/12/2019
HairstylesWednesday Matters-June 12, 2019
Everyday Hair Stylist My hair is a big part of my life so how great it is that the relationship I have with my hair also spills over to the relationship I have with my hair stylist. Each time I have an appointment I’ve been able to tell my hairdresser what God is doing in my life. And sometimes I’m so surprised at how open my hair-person is in listening to me talk about God. In the past there were times I felt fearful, embarrassed or even defensive when sharing my faith but now I get excited because I’m sharing my relationship and not a religion. Sharing my relationship and the power of God’s love is fun because everything just seems to flow and come out naturally. Without love we really can’t communicate the freedom and peace God has for us. But by knowing 1 Corinthians 13:8; “Love never fails” we can actually have success and the style of communication is win-win for all involved…everyday. 6/11/2019
TV TrashTuesday Matters-June 11, 2019
Everyday Television View There are times when I just want to relax by not doing anything but watching TV. TV is not evil but I have to say there’s certainly a lot of trash that can come into my home via the television. So am I a fool because I watch TV? No, but if I feed too much on some of the trash it plays I guess Proverbs 15; 14 is pretty true; “A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.” And when I view a reality TV show I often get upset and talk to the screen. The people only seem to be looking for peace within themselves, other people or their circumstances. God’s not “in the house.” So change starts with me. Loving the person God puts in front of me. It’s not in religion where we’ll find peace and not by being a good person. Real peace comes from knowing accepting God’s love. That’s a view (not trashy) I want to live with…everyday. 6/10/2019
People Hurt My FeelingsMonday Matters-June 10, 2019
Everyday Offense & Hurt We can say we trust in God to avenge us but as soon as we take matters into our own hands and try to avenge ourselves or someone we love we obviously aren’t putting a lot of faith in the power of what God promises. I think a big challenge is not to pick up the offense of a friend or family member who’s been hurt. I’m guilty there. But when we take on someone else’s offense we’re sucking the poison of their sin and we become bitter along with them. I’ve seen this happen when a parent’s anger towards someone passes on to their children. Remember if only one side of the story is presented you don’t have the whole truth and may have a cocktail of lies. It’s the enemy’s plan to ruin relationships. God’s plan is to restore and He will avenge you and those you love. Follow Deuteronomy 30:19 which tells us to make the choices which bring life so that we and our descendants may live meaningful lives…everyday. 6/7/2019
The Devil is a LiarFriday Matters-June 7, 2019
Everyday Enemy Alert There’s evil in the world but often we don’t really think it’s something we have to be mindful of in our everyday lives. Oh but we do. The Garden of Eden was a perfect paradise God created for Adam and Eve until Satan got them to doubt and distrust God. The devil is still on the move working because he knows that the only way he can overcome a believer is through deception and intimidation. In the Bible in 1 Peter we’re told to be alert because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he will devour. Notice the verse doesn’t say “irritate” or “frustrate” but “DEVOUR!” A lion often scares up its dinner by roaring. Its prey freezes in fear simply due to fear thus becoming an easy meal for Mr. or Mrs. Lion. That is what we face. God is the king. The devil is an imposter. We have the power from God to tell him to get out of our face…everyday. 6/6/2019
Have FaithThursday Matters-June 6, 2019
Everyday Shields of Faith When my husband had cancer nine years ago it was hard, it was scary. But my relationship with God enabled me to receive peace despite the circumstances. Thankfully, Dan is cancer free but at the time of the tumor, surgery and chemo I had to be intentional to stop and breathe and let my anxiousness go to God. Of course the enemy is always prowling around trying to steal our peace (1 Peter 5:8). One night I had a dream of my husband Dan and I standing in a circle between two pillars that spelled the word, “IS.” “What did that mean?” God said: “My grace IS sufficient.” “My power IS perfected in weakness.” And then I saw people praying in a circle around us, facing outwards and protecting us with shields of faith. The enemy was prowling around trying to find an entrance in hoping shake us up but the power of prayer and faith prevented him. THAT’S amazing. Remember GOD is good no matter what the circumstances are…everyday. 6/5/2019
GossipWednesday Matters-June 5, 2019
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. 6/4/2019
Judging OthersTuesday Matters-June 4, 2019
Everyday Judge Not It’s so easy to judge others, isn’t it? We often do it when we feel crummy about something inside of us so we find someone else’s problems to judge. When we begin to sinfully judge others it is characterized by a feeling of superiority or resentment. Sinful judging often involves deciding what others’ motives may be. It reveals the absence of a genuine love. We get together with others to discuss someone’s problems when instead we should be praying for them. A listener wrote me about this problem with, "The sad truth is that when we judge someone’s heart, perhaps cuz we’re angry and hurt, there is often gossip involved. The one judged, becomes what I call, ‘boxed and labeled’ by the accuser and the gossip-hearers.” Exactly. God promises us vindication. Isaiah 54:17 reads; “No weapon turned against you will succeed.” Wait on God and He we will silence those voices who stand to accuse you unjustly. God promises redemption and vindication…everyday. 6/3/2019
Religious LeadersMonday Matters-June 3, 2019
Everyday “NO” is the answer Hearing our children’s first words are memorable such as, “Dada,” “Nana,” or “Puppy.” The word “NO” is also among those words and it can be harsh. I remember telling our son Joey when I was nine months pregnant, “Joey look at Mama’s belly. There’s a baby inside.” “Ah NO, Mama that’s a ball,” said Joey. “No,” screamed at you by a child isn’t a fun word to hear. Yet I’ve found that the word “no” is one our hearts need to hear when the truth isn’t being told about us. Perhaps there’s ugly and untrue gossip about you and so you need to remember, “NO, that’s not who God says I am,” or maybe it’s “No, I cannot take on another volunteer position at school.” Jesus mostly used the word “no” when speaking to the religious leaders who were trying to boss everyone around. He came to fulfill the law by His grace, not by giving us more rules. The word “no” is a useful word when guided by God…everyday. |
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