Check Mate

The chess board came to my mind, or any such similar effort because the statement was made 'I believe in God, but I am in control of my life'. On the one hand, you have me who at best can competently choose a path to achieve an end sidestepping, avoiding, and working my way through, if necessary, obstacles along my endeavor. I am even equipped to make judgements about the possibilities of what will likely occur and adjust appropriately.

On the other hand,  there is God (drum roll ... smile) who not only is the ace at accomplishing such a task of getting from point A to point B regardless of detriments, but He is fully packaged to know exactly what I will do, exactly what will happen, and exactly how it needs to resolve while allowing me the free will of putting forth my best. Actually this reminds me of the character Seth in Ted Dekker's novel Blink I just read, seeing all possibilities and choosing what works for the best. Bottom line ...Who's really in control?

Okay, the interaction is not as opponents, not challengers, nor gamers; endeavor? To overcome. Check Mate! I'm glad not just that God is my team mate, but moreso that I'm on His team!

Majority

When all I see is beyond me, whatever I alone bring to the table can only be insufficient, God is my sufficiency. I am fortified by His presence with and in me. It is certain peace and salve to my soul to know that God is in control even in His making of me, a place He chooses to dwell. As the pastor said "God and me are a majority"! Grateful!

Let His Eyes be Your Mirror

from a young lady on facebook ... beautiful; she and her words of  wisdom ...

"encounter with the Father ... He allowed me to see myself through the eyes of His son Jesus and I cried like a baby because for the 1st time in my life I felt beautiful and I understood that He had made me according to His purpose for my life. I no longer feel insecure about my outside appearance bc it's what the Father wanted me to look like, and if that pleased Him then it pleased me. I worry about my inside appearance and being beautiful in heart and spirit so others can see the Jesus in me. Love yourself bc the Father lovingly created and fashioned you in his own image."

~the beautiful Loreine Alamillo

watching what the watcher watches

In service during the sermon, I am usually to be found trying to be inconspicuous, taking copious electronic notes, and people-watching (something I do anyway, anywhere). However from the back row I have a different view of what the pastor sees from the pulpit from which I too can gain a sense of the receptivity to the message by watching people's non-verbal communication.

The young couple directly in front of me are a delight because they love each other - its new, its fresh, it's settling in for the long haul. They amused me today because of their knowing glances shared responding to the pastor's teaching and a bit of elbowing going on - I saw a little of the pastor and me as I observed their unspoken tête à tête. It is a wonderful perspective to see how God reaches us and reinforces things we already know and can share, remind, and encourage in each other. Cheers to today's couple - keep hearing God and communicating His Word to each other.

Know Apart

When one deal with twins or multiple birth, in order to know them apart one needs to study and observe them and familiarize oneself with them so as to recognize the differences. Then one is not deceived. That requires time, investment, attention.


God has no twin, but many pretenders.

"Be Ye not deceived."

"Be still and know that I am God".

Faith for your season

Our pastor in his message today, 'Faith for the Season', mentioned the movie 'The Nativity'. He reminded us the perspective the movie brings from Joseph's point of view - and the strength and cost that was involved in his stand. I too encourage anyone who hasn't seen it to view this movie this Christmas season and to see it again even. It would be especially wonderful to make it part of Christmas Eve activities.

I mention the Nativity in 'Pearlz from Shelz':

The Nativity Story - new Christmas family film night tradition

The Nativity Story

but I bring it up again because the sermon brought home what it takes to stand up in these days and times - the pastor reminded us that the circumstances Joseph accepted took a great leap of faith, faith that could only come from trusting God and humble obedience.

I don't know what your season of circumstances are or whether they are more profoundly absurd than Joseph's, but as the Pastor reminded us today, God still speaks to us, still loves us - His plan more than likely is not the easy way out, but it is the way!

If you get a chance make the Christmas story real in your memory, see 'The Nativity'.

Merry Christmas!

Don't Leave Home without It

As you go through your day, the Word should only be a heart away. You can feed your heart by constant study of the Good Book. Sterilize your sources that they are untainted and open it up to the Holy Spirit. It once was I always had a book of the Bible with me, whether purse-size or a larger in-depth study Bible. Now, while I have those still, I prefer electronic.

There is so much out there depending on one's preferred method of carrying it. One can always go online and find a wealth of Bible reading and studying opportunity. My preference is ever available on my phone. While I additionally always have it at my finger tips on computer, I can no longer remember not having it handy to hold. Of course where you go from there depends on your phone and choices of operating system among other things.

I have tried many of the phone application offerings - some on past OS used and some on my android environment. I prefer Cadre - highest reasons are additional means of more in-depth study such as dictionaries and commentaries and cost. It additionally works very well with a note application called Evernote that I use not only in my devotions all aspects of my life.

A very popular and well-recommended application also online is YouVersion's. It is extremely popular with Bible lovers and has features like reading plans. YouVersion has very generously put together a site that shows many off the offerings available regardless of and categorized by OS and other preferences. Check it out, if you are looking for where to begin to arm yourself with daily manna that will provide sustenance to your spiritual life.

The most important thing as your sojourn this life is, if Heaven is your home, you don't leave home without it!