Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
7/22/2024
Life’s TrialsMonday Matters-July 22, 2024
Everyday Waves My friend, Michelle, shared; “These waves of trials and circumstances are very real and overwhelming to me right now. But Debbie, the question is not whether or not I see them; the question is whether or not I see ONLY them. I know it's not about the waves; it's about walking forward toward Him because He says ‘Come!’” What honesty Michelle has, and I can’t say, I’m that mature in a storm situation. In the Bible we can read in Mark 4: where Jesus says to the disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” but a furious storm of hurricane proportions arises with waves crashing into the boat. Where’s Jesus? He’s asleep inside the boat. “Master, don’t You care that we’re dying,” the disciples ask. Without answering Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and sea, “Be still,” He says and a great calm comes. When Jesus says, “You’re gonna get to the other side,” believe Him. You’ll get to the other side no matter what stormy trial you’re facing. Go forward with Him…everyday. 7/15/2024
Serving OthersMonday Matters-July 15, 2024
Everyday Jesus Servant Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of servanthood to show them how very much He loved them. (John 13:3-15) In a culture where people’s sandals did not protect their feet from the dirt of the road servants, not masters, were supposed to wash feet. But Jesus fully knowing who He was, being the greatest of all, became the servant of all. When the Lord came to Simon Peter to wash his feet, Peter resisted him saying, “Lord are my feet to be washed by You?” I would have been hesitant too, “Jesus serving me?” How did Jesus respond to Peter's rash vow of never letting Jesus wash his feet? Jesus said that unless Peter let him do this Peter would have no part in Him. So, after Jesus completed washing all the disciples’ feet, He told them they needed to follow His example as their Lord and Teacher and wash one another's feet. I believe just Jesus was saying that unless we're willing to serve one another, we have no part in Him or in each other. If we love someone to the highest degree, we'll be willing to serve that person…everyday. 7/8/2024
Trusting GodMonday Matters-July 8, 2024
Everyday Trusting God Sometimes when things are really tough you might wonder why you feel so alone, and no one is reaching out to help you. When I’m in despair I go to the Psalms. Today I was reading Psalm 73 and the Lord said, “I am continually with you, and I hold your right hand. The Psalm continued, “It is good for me to draw near to God because I have put my trust in the Lord and made Him my refuge that I may tell others of His works.” The question I have to ask myself is, “Do I really trust in God or am I running around asking for other’s advice and complaining how unfair life is?” When I truly trust in God, I can tell you He has always brought me through the difficult times with His grace and strength. Some days it’s moment by moment but He gets me to the “other side.” My testimony becomes true to Psalm 73 where I can tell others of His good works, and Him as my refuge. when I thought I might collapse in despair. God is always good …everyday. 7/1/2024
The Good ShepherdMonday Matters-July 1, 2024
Everyday Shepherd Leading My friend Pastor Dave has gone to be with Jesus. But when his cancer returned, he told me how he felt a precious sense of the Lord’s presence. He shared from the book he was reading, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” by Dr. Timothy Laniak who reminds us that many of us have experienced the desperate isolation and cold darkness that Job describes in his memoir. Dr. Laniak and his wife had seasons in their life without the light of understanding or any sense of God's presence which tested their faith in an invisible Shepherd. For several years when their children were young and faced with disabilities and a shift in their life's direction, they entered tsalmavet [deadly darkness]. The light they longed for did not dawn as they expected. But slowly they did reemerge from the valley humbled and sobered because of John 1:5; “The Light shines through the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” This is earth is not our home and so much of it is hard with trials almost unbearable but to be sure God is aware and with you no matter how dark it gets…everyday. 6/24/2024
Mother TeresaMonday Matters-June 24, 2024
Everyday Mother Teresa It’s so much easier to point out what’s wrong with everybody else rather than look at our own junk to clean up. But we are all sinners, and we all need help which is why our first step toward reconciliation is to confess our sins, receive God’s pardon and walk forward in a restored relationship with our Creator. We cannot do anything to merit grace, and yet we look at someone like Mother Teresa and think surely, she entered into heaven because of what she did. If we emulate her sacrificial love in some small fashion, we are lulled into a false sense of security that persuades us that we have no need of repentance today. When the little saint humbly confessed her brokenness and her desperate need for God, either we were uncomprehending, or we secretly suspected her of false modesty. Yet she got it, and through the love she received, she gave in great amounts to others. Real love, real grace, receive it and then walk forward and give the same to others…everyday. 6/17/2024
ShameMonday Matters-June 17, 2024
Everyday Not Alone Shame Jenny said; “The knowledge of my husband's addiction caused me great shame. I remember being in a mom’s group and conversations were going on about all the normal mom-stuff like potty-training, sleepless nights, a shared recipe and the entire time I’m smiling and pretending. I thought; ‘If only they knew.’ I was afraid to let go of this image.” I’m so sorry if you’ve been through that hard place of betrayal like Jenny. But please share your story because you’re not alone. Shame keeps us hidden, hurting and silent. You need to know that “guilt” says you did something wrong. “Shame,” on the other hand, says that you are something wrong. You are NOT something wrong you’re your hurt feelings aren’t wrong. Jesus loves you, me and all the “Jennies” our there. In Matthew 11 He says to come as you are. Alright then, let’s give it Him. It’s gonna be okay and it will get better…everyday. 6/10/2024
DietMonday Matters-June 10, 2024
Everyday Diet Over ten years ago I never really ate breakfast, unless you counted Diet Coke and chips. I ate what I wanted when I wanted. I even remember standing in my kitchen one morning at age 41; eating chips and drinking my Coke thinking, “I feel so great! I wonder how long I will be able to keep this diet going?!” And I thought because I was healthy in my relationship with God, reading the Bible and doing Pilates occasionally I’d be just fine. “Who needs green leafy vegetables?” But five months after having these thoughts I started getting sick with a lot of different infections and then came emotional anxiety and… well…I kinda crashed. There were other factors that played into my “crash”, but I heard God clearly speak to me. Yes, He had great plans for me, but I needed to take care of my diet. 1 Corinthians 16:20; I don’t just belong to myself; I’m God’s girl and I honor Him by the way I live my life and take care of myself…. everyday. 6/3/2024
Thought LifeMonday Matters-June 3, 2024
Everyday Think On 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 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 that 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. 5/27/2024
TraditionsMonday Matters-May 27, 2024
Everyday Family Notes I still remember about 20 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. 5/20/2024
Marriage and DatingMonday Matters- May 20, 2024
Everyday Spousal 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. |
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