It's Raining, It's Pouring

Nighttime thunderstorms bring my kids dashing into my bedroom. The weather forecast warns us of upcoming thunderstorms. But what about when the storms of life come? Are you ready for them?

Join me over at Titus 2 in Action to find out.

Adjustments*

It stars out with a back ache. Next thing you know it's a pain in the neck. Finally it's a full fledged headache that Advil won't touch. Now there's no doubt about it. I need to see the chiropractor. My back's out of whack!

At the chiropractor's office he applies a little pressure here, a minor adjustment there and CRACK! I'm a new woman. But chiropractic care is a strange thing. I need to keep going even when I feel okay. By continuing to go in and get adjusted, my back stays in line - no headaches! But if I don't go in, things start moving, little by little - until here I go again! My back's out of whack!

My Christian life is just like that. It starts out with getting out of the habit of reading the Bible. Next thing you know you're not praying. Finally you're faced with full fledged sin and even Aleve won't alleviate it! I need to see the Holy Spirit. My spiritual life is out of whack!

Just like the chiropractor, the Holy Spirit also applies pressure in my life. The pressure for me to make my own minor adjustments...to my schedule to allow more time for bible reading, to my priorities, to make sure I'm putting prayer before other things. Suddenly - I'm a new woman!

But just like chiropractic care, I need to continue with it. If I don't, things start moving, little by little until - here I go again! My spiritual life is out of whack!

Take a look at your spiritual posture today - it is out of whack? If so, visit the great physician and see if you can make some adjustments in your life to get BACK to God.

Psalm 119:169-176 --
May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

**This post originally ran in 2008, and is running as a repeat as I take this week off to enjoy Spring Break with my family.**

My Cross

Jesus was crucified. But He was innocent. Those were MY nails. That was MY crown. That pierced His hands and His brow. Those were MY thorns. Those were MY scorns. Those were MY tears that fell down. And just as He said it would be He did it all for me. (And YOU!) After He counted the cost He took MY shame, MY blame on MY cross.

Thank you Jesus for taking away my sins, and being crucified on my cross.

"My Cross" By FFH

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Friday

Friday is "Good Friday." I can't help but cringe at the name for this religious day. To call it "Holy Friday" is one thing. But Good Friday? Good? The day they crucified our Savior, good?

If you've read the account of Jesus crucifixion in the Bible, you know it was a bad day.

Matthew 27:28-30 -- They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

"Struck him on the head again and again." With a staff (that is a stick, pole or rod). Again and again. Good Friday?

They mocked him and forced him to carry his own cross. He was hung there. He experienced great pain, and he eventually died there. Good Friday?

He was put into a tomb.

However, soon came Sunday, and a great and marvelous thing happened. Jesus rose from the dead! Because of this we may have eternal life if we believe. See the cost (wages) of sin is death, eternity away from God. But Jesus lived a sin-free life. He didn't deserve death. But on that terrible Friday he died, paying the price for our sins. And when he rose again, he opened the doors to heaven so that all us sinners could have not death, but eternal life.

That was a very Good Sunday. Resurrection Sunday. Easter Sunday. That Friday was an important day, the day our Savior died for us. But to me, the GOOD day, the great day was Sunday.

John 11:25 -- Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."

First Things First

First things First is a slogan that refers to putting things in their proper order. For instance, you have 10 minutes before you need to leave. Do you quick check your blog, email, Facebook & Twitter accounts only to realize you're now late, and dash out the door...OR do you quickly fold the laundry in the dryer, and get out of the door on time.

Many of our problems in life may be caused by not putting first things first. We often put off the important stuff that we don't feel like doing wasting time on the trivial. That leads to stress, and even anxiety.

From a Christian perspective, first things first means putting God first. Do you start your day with God? Starting the day with prayer, a Bible reading or devotional is a great place to start. Making time to be still before God and rest in Him. And keeping God present in your thoughts and actions all day.

First things first also means taking care of ourselves. We tend to put ourselves last, meeting everyone else's needs first. But if you are exhausted and burnt out, you can't help anyone. Take time to exercise and eat right. If you are an introvert, make quiet time for yourself. If you are an extrovert, make time to get out with friends. These things will have energize and renew you, allowing you to meet the needs of those you care for as well.

What are you doing today to put first things first?

Matthew 6:31-34 -- So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Guilty by Association

Did you know that as Christians, we are the only Bible some people will ever see? So what are you saying about Jesus, by association?

Join me over at Titus 2 in Action to read more.

Who's at the Helm?

Sometimes I imagine my life as a boat. The photo is the view I should be enjoying, (although I'd have painted toe nails. *grin*). Jesus is at the helm of my boat, my life. My job is to sit back and watch it come. I view the horizon and feel complete peace. Sometimes even the peace that passes human understanding. That is, peace when I see a storm quickly approaching because I know Jesus is in charge. That is the view I should have.

Unfortunately, I must not like peace! Because after I sit and enjoy the view for a moment, I realize I want to drive the boat. So I take the wheel from Jesus. I love the feel of the control in my hands, for a moment. But suddenly the storm takes the boat over and I'm tossing and turning and in way over my head. So of course, I call for Jesus to take the wheel. (yes, I know that is a song, but it's a song about a car. This is a boat).

But as soon as the waves get the slightest bit less choppy, I want the wheel again. Why do I feel that I must control the boat? Things run smoother, and I could relax if I'd just sit down and enjoy the view, knowing Jesus is in charge.

And so I keep learning the same lesson again, and again. Control freak. I need to pry my fingers off the steering wheel and let Jesus take the helm. How about you? Who is at the helm of your boat?

Matthew 8:23-27 -- Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"