Toot Toot

If we played a highlight reel of all the good deeds we have done, they would still be as filthy rags before God. It may get you a high water mark of Facebook likes, or maybe even some record holding retweet status. I'm sure in all of our horn tooting, we would receive loads of praise, but our hearts would have none. There's a difference between testifying of God's goodness and glorifying of our works.  The Scripture says this:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  Matthew 6:1

So, whether you are giving money, time, or encouragement, make sure you give praise to the One it's ALL about.  Let us not boast about what we have given, but what we have received.

The old life is gone, a new life begins. A fresh start is created new.


Bragging Conceited Self-Righteous Legalistic Facebook Twitter Selfish Pride Haughty Boastful Facebook Likes Self Center of Attention Encouragement Enlightenment Rebuke Reprove Exhort Hypocrites Matthew 6   

What would I do?

I heard a wise man say "Go to your house, right into the privacy of your own bedroom. Put a chair out in front of you and sit in it. Look yourself straight in the eye and ask 'what would you do if you could get away with it?'" Whatever that something is, that is the way God views you. God sees the heart. While man judges you by what you do, God judges you by what you Would do.

Seems a little scary doesn't it? No need to worry though. God knew where your steps would be before you had feet. He knows your frame. He remembers your dust. He knows where you are going, and He can relate with what you are going through. He has been there, but He has not done that. He has bought you at a price and wore a cross in case you do. He is into forgiving you. You are forgiven. Say it loud... I am forgiven.

Soulmate

I remember you in 3rd grade. You had long hair with a cute smile, full of braces that caught my eye. As a crossing guard, I watched you get into your moms car after school. You had my mind wondering where you were off to. In middle school to early high school, I can recall lots of late night talks over the phone. Laughing out loud, trying to be quiet to not wake our parents. We were only children from broken homes, but not broken spirits. We were tougher than life. As life would have it though, we grew apart... but not for long. Even though the road we have walked has made us who we are, we are united once again. Years later, for the completion of His perfect will, we are called together by Someone much greater than Life and life's terms. You have always been special to me. You have always been beautiful to me. You have my eyes, my mind, and now my heart. Looking back, I can now see that I have loved you from the start.  "God blessed the broken road, that led me straight to you."

Temptation

To be swayed away or drawn from the lesser traveled path is a very real battle. It is present in the most lonely, deepest valleys. You can find its traces in the smothering canopy of pink clouds. It is even lurking in the heights of the hallelujah mountain tops. It listens to every murmur. It lies in wait for the most opportune time. No one is exempt from its painted landscape of lies. Resistance is our clarity back to reality. He died for you. He loves you. He lives today.

The old life is gone, a new life begins, a fresh start is created new.

He > me

I have to get to the realization that God is good whether He opens that door or keeps it closed. He knows best. He is good whether it is pouring down rain or if the sun is beaming. He is faithful when I am not. When my heart hurts, I can rest in the fact that He is greater than my heart. Just when I think I can not take anymore, and I am at the end of my rope, I find hope. I find peace. I have found a solid foundation in the midst of my desperation. I have stood on that Rock, and cried in celebration. I have found Him to be trustworthy in tragedy. He is everything that has been good to me. Jesus, my Savior, my Rock on which I stand. He is everything that has been good to me.

Desires of the Heart

Desires of the Heart. Sounds beautiful doesn't it? Desiring to have more than what my mind can comprehend. Beyond the realm of imagination and past all human understanding, lies my heart's desires. It is a perfect Gift given at the right place and right time, it is never late, it is always on time. I can't put my finger on or wrap my mind around my hearts desires, for it's a gift given from above. It will be exactly what I wanted and needed. It is perfectly designed for me. Thank You, ahead of time, for the perfect Gift.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Squirrel

"Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't." To be completely honest, I sometimes feel more like a squirrel. Running back and forth across a path that is highly traveled. At times, I have watched my life pass right before my eyes, completely undecided which way to go. I have mercifully dodged destruction in the middle of this highway, while in plain sight I could see my Safety in the hedges. My family watches as I painstakingly choose to live most of my life inside the clearly painted lines. They begin to pray. 'Dear Heavenly Father that reigns supreme over all things, please hear our cry. Spare the life of our loved one, but Your will be done.' Clear their minds enough to see the Protection of Your hedge that surrounds them. Nudge their heart, Lord, so they will choose to step out of the road of chaos and destruction and into Your stronghold of protection in Jesus Christ's Holy and Precious Name, AMEN.