Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
12/17/2021
Golden TruthFriday Matters-December 17, 2021
Everyday Golden Rule How many kids, when asked, would know what the golden rule is? Do you? Two of my four sons knew the answer: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” We may know it but do we live it? There are broken marriages, churches, friends fighting, there’s brokenness. Taking this golden truth to heart is another matter. Jesus loves us….really loves us…as we are. And He says; “I give you a new commandment; it is My commandment; it is all I command you; Love one another as I have loved you.” Only compassion and forgiveness count. Love is the key to everything. I think most times we treat others how we think they deserve to be treated but think if Jesus did that with us and gave us what we deserved? I know right? We’d be toast. Not only do my kids need to be reminded of this. I do too. Love one another…everyday. 12/16/2021
God IS Always AwareThursday Matters- December 16, 2021
Everyday God Does Not Sleep God never sleeps. That means there’s not a second that goes by where God is not aware of everything in our lives. I, on the other hand, need sleep. And when I concern myself and try to solve my problems without resting in the fact that God wants to take care of me and them, I lose sleep. So, I often recite Psalm 4:8 “I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone Oh Lord make me dwell in safety.” I repeat this over and over because repeating the truth is better than tossing and turning my anxious thoughts over and over. But sometimes doesn’t it feel like you’re walking in a sleepy haze just trying to get through life? There might be seasons like that but it’s good to know that God’s not surprised when you walk in them. That’s why Psalm 121: 3 is such a comfort; “God will not let you stumble and fall; the One who watches over you will not sleep…everyday. 12/15/2021
MarriageWednesday Matters- December 15, 2021
Everyday Marriage Break Unfortunately, I hear from a lot of people sharing how their marriage is breaking up due to a spouse finding someone new. “I wish my spouse would give up this other person and want to reconcile, but they have no desire for me anymore. I’m trying to focus on God, but I want deliverance from this pit,” someone wrote me. I ache for this person, but I told them; “With Jesus there is always hope.” The enemy wants us to believe lies and fall into despair. Proverbs 1:31 is also pretty clear about the person who continues in sin; “Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.” But if we choose to trust what we know of God Proverbs 1:33 is pretty clear; “But all who listen to Me will live in peace, untroubled by fear or harm.” Go to the Bible for comfort, read aloud, lament, cry out to God. He knows and cares about hurting heart and He knows how to give you hope…everyday. 12/14/2021
What About the Holy Spirit?Tuesday Matters- December 14, 2021
Everyday Holy Spirit Explained I remember our sons asking, “Mom, I don’t get the Trinity. How are the Holy Spirit, God and Jesus; all one?” My answer was “Water.” Life depends on water, just as our spiritual life in Christ depends on God. Water is three-in-one, too. In its solid form, ice or snow, we can chew or throw it. In its liquid form, water, we can drink or swim in it. In its gas form, steam or vapor, we can breathe it. We experience water differently in each of its forms but it’s always H2O---a compound of hydrogen and oxygen. I never was a science girl, so I don’t really get how the water molecule works and I’ll never understand all the “whys” of God, but I know He’s a Redeemer who works for the good of His children. And from John 4:24 we know that “God is Spirit so let’s worship Him in spirit and in truth” …everyday. 12/13/2021
Fitness BusinessMonday Matters-December 13, 2021
Everyday Fitness When my dear friend Shannon, a physical therapist opened her own fitness studio her goal was to help people focus on having a healthier body, but she and her staff are there to help others with their emotional and spiritual health as well. A great thing about having her own business is she’s able to do devotions with her employees each week (which was optional). I remember her sharing how two of her employees were nudging and whispering to each other as she was reading devotions one day. When she approached the women they said, “We feel uncomfortable because we don’t think about God like you do, it’s a personal thing. And besides, we think God and business should be separate.” Well Shannon didn’t so the girls made a choice to move on. It was disappointing but I told Shannon she should continue to be obedient to what God has called her to do because as 1 Samuel 2:30 says; “Those who honor Me I will honor” …everyday. 12/10/2021
DatingFriday Matters-December 10, 2021
Everyday Spouse Foundation Katie was so excited telling her dad about her new boyfriend; “He’s just about perfect, Dad! He’s good looking, has a great sense of humor and we’ve so many of the same interests. He’s smart, outgoing and he really cares about me. I’m so happy!” “But you said, ‘just about perfect,’ what’s missing?” “Well, he believes in God, but I don’t know if he has a relationship with Him.” “Well,” said dad, “Remember when we were looking at buying a house for you and there was one that seemed just about perfect? The size was great, super landscaping and not only was the outside beautiful but the hard wood floors, tiled kitchen, and every painted room was amazing. But the foundation was cracked and so it wasn’t an investment you were willing to make.” When looking for a spouse the best blueprint to follow is found in Ephesians 2:20 finding someone whose foundation is built with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone so you can build a strong marriage…everyday. 12/9/2021
Evil AwarenessThursday Matters- December 9, 2021
Everyday Enemy Alert Ah, The Garden of Eden what a wonderful and perfect paradise except for the fact that the devil was sliding around (or walking) as some sort of beautiful serpent who eventually got Adam and Eve to doubt the perfect goodness of their Creator. Well Mr. Evil One is still on the move, working as hard as he can to get us to doubt because he knows that the only way, he can overcome a believer is through deception (that we can be our own god) and intimidation. That’s why God cautions us in 1 Peter 5:8 to be alert because our great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But notice the verse doesn’t say “irritate” or “frustrate” but “DEVOUR!” A lion often scares up its dinner by roaring. Its prey has a heart attack simply due to fear thus becoming an easy meal for Mr. or Mrs. lion. That is what we face. Will you believe the roar or the still assurance of God’s voice…everyday!? 12/8/2021
December 08th, 2021Wednesday Matters- December 8, 2021
Everyday India Tech Again, I found myself dealing with my Internet provider so I could once again send and not just receive an email through my website account. God bless Amrinder who I spent 138 minutes with trying to solve my problem. And although this wasn’t my first time feeling frustrated and impatient with computer technology, I needed Holy Spirit intervention and deep breaths to keep calm and carry on. I can live my life following Colossians 3:17 as a representative of Jesus because of His grace represented in how I deal with crazy-making issues. Yes, I was calling to receive a service, but I also had the opportunity to serve by listening and asking questions. It turns out Amrinder was from India and so we talked about the movie Slum Dog Millionaire. I heard from someone who knew about the poverty and the use of children that the movie addresses. I not only got my tech issue fixed but I was able to fix my focus on listening and loving another. Life is about people… …everyday. 12/7/2021
Family ValuesTuesday Matters- December 7, 2021
Everyday Family Values I still remember about 15 years ago wandering around this grandpa and grandma home, admiring all the old pictures and furnishings of a couple in their late 70’s who have now since passed away. On a door near the kitchen leading to a loft upstairs were taped several comics and newspaper clippings. One cut-out quote really touched me by S. D. Gordan; “A father and mother living together with their children, tender in their love, pure in their lives, strong in their convictions, simple and orderly in their habits, do definitely more than presidents, governors, legislators and clergymen can do in making a strong nation.” How cool is that? It reminded me of the Mother’s Day Card my oldest son had given me as a twelve-year-old. It used the acronym MOM. “M is for Married,” he wrote, “I’m thankful you’re married and with our dad.” Pretty powerful. Yes, love is a choice and not just a feeling. Joshua 24:15 says it well, “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” …everyday. 12/6/2021
Family BlessingsMonday Matters-December 6, 2021
Everyday Brother Gift “I’m a high school graduate because of my older brother,” Kevin told me. I’m healthy and I’m alive because of my older brother Tim.” Today Kevin is 18 and his older brother Tim is 29. When Kevin was seven and Tim was 18, he got an apartment on his own so they could live “on the good side of town.” They moved out of the Crack House their drug addicted mother was living in and who’s now sadly passed away. Tim worked two jobs to pay the bills and always made sure Kevin was safe, fed and at school on time. “He basically saved my life,” said Kevin. “I could never repay him, but I can step up and make a difference in someone else’s live like he did mine.” God makes a difference in your life when you allow Him to. Stop stressing on all the things, you think, He might take away and instead focus on His unconditional love He gives, no matter who you are or where you’ve been, God loves you…everyday. |
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