He's right beside you!!!

It has been way too long since I have written anything for the public to read.  Truth be told I don't have a good excuse.  What I can tell you is that it wasn't until tonight that I realized that as much as I adore and trust God, I often feel like He is so far away.  But scripture tells us in Genesis when Moses is to go stand in the cleft of the rock.  God says to him, " look here is a place right beside me."  It occurred to me that God is asking us all to look for Him.  He is not far away somewhere off in the distance He is near.  The other thing I realized in that scripture is that God also tells Moses that while he is in the cleft of the rock, his hand will cover him so that he won't be able to see his face.  I was struck that God's one hand is big enough to cover Moses in the rock.  Which means that God's one hand is able to hold all of the burdens, struggles,  and my life issues He can fit them in one hand.

Imagine for a moment that not only is God right beside you, all of your problems can fit right in the palm of His hands.  For me it translates this way, that literally God can take care of all of my problems, issues and concerns.  He is bigger than my problem.  We know that He already knows the things that we are dealing with, but not only that he has the ability to see it clearly because it fits in his hands.   Think about it, have you ever picked up a speck of dirt or something you weren't able to identify and you put it in the middle of your palm so that you can get a closer look.  Or when you were a kid, you would pick up some funny object outside an instinctively you would put it in you palm to take a closer look.  Imagine God doing that with our problems.  He can see them clearly and get a closer look.  The reality is that just as the poem in footprints says that not only can He hold my problems in his hand, He will carry me through the hard times.

The key to all of this is that we need to do as God has told Moses, "Look here is a place right beside me".  We need to seek out places in our lives where we can be close to God.  When we are close to God,  He is better able to guide us to the solutions of the problems we face.  He is able to cover us and protect us.  Because the reality is that when Moses was in the cleft of the rock away from the people he was able to focus on the directions that God gave him so that he knew how to proceed on his journey.  I don't know about you but I want God's direction and God desires for us to be close to Him.  To realize that He's a big God but he's still has room for us.  He still has time for us, He still wants to be with us.  We have just got to look for Him.

Well my thoughts for this evening.  It is my prayer that you will reach out to see God close by and not far off in the distance.

Are you a Welcome Mat or a Do Not Disturb Sign?

I ran across this question when I was looking at an article about the one that got away.  It was interesting because it had all of these steps to help you to move on, and refocus your attention.  So that you could get over your past love.     I got to wondering sometimes God may feel like we are the one that got away.  Why is it  that having faith the size of a mustard seed, sounds easy, but it isn't?   Why does scripture tell us that if we believe we can throw the mountain into the ocean, again easier said than done right.   Why is it that  in many areas of our life, we get that being discipline  is the key.   We get that if we want to lose weight we have to restrict our diets; if we want to be physically fit, we need to work out so many times a week.  We get that every so many miles we need to change the oil, rotate the tires for the well being of our cars.   However, we don't treat our soul's the same way.   When it comes to God, we are more apt to  be undisciplined.
Which brings me to the point  of the question are you a welcome mat or a do not disturb sign.  Are you open to what God has for you, even if it is not what you envisioned.  Can you continually remain open to what God is doing all around you.   Will you welcome the trials and tribulations that come with life, in order to grow in your faith.  Or will you live in isolation, away from God.  Ignoring His plans for your life. We live our lives in  such ways that in essence we  tell God, do not disturb.   I would rather stay right where I am than to move into unknown territory.  I'd rather deal with my current situation that I'm comfortable with than try something different.   God, do not disturb my journey, it may not be perfect but I'm managing.  The reality is that
God desires so much more for all of us, even if we are content with where we are at, imagine, if things could get even better.  I know for me, things could definitely be better. 

So what do we need to do, we need to put the Welcome  Mat out for God, to come in and have His way in our lives.  We also need to know that when we welcome God in, He is not coming for only a moment, he is coming for a lifetime.  Our friends and family will only be with us for a season but God will be with us for all of eternity, if we let Him come in.   I don't know about you, but I want to able to say to the mountain to get out of my way, and watch it move.  

"I Believe"

James Fortune sings this great song called,  "I Believe,"  it is  a powerful song.  The message is that no matter  what your going through, you have to believe that things will get better for you.   And then he points out not only should you believe but you should know that it's already done.  Recently my pastor said that we think that the future is the future for God.  Our future is God's present.  The creator that knows every hair on your head, surely knows what tomorrow holds.

I love the fact that just when you are ready to give up, God shows up and reminds you that "I got you."  Just when you've have done everything you know how to do, He shows up with a blessing to big for you to even understand.   I want to always remember that God has always got my back no matter what it is, big or small.  I guess that is why in the scriptures he says, don't worry about tomorrow for today's problem's are enough for today.  So short and sweet message today.

 For if you know who holds the future in his hands, then we should be able to believe, "It's Already Done!"

Why is the question?

So I haven't posted a blog since January.  I have been journaling and tonight I just felt like I wanted to share my thoughts with the world so to speak.   Love is such a hard thing to grasp.  Relationships are so uncertain and the mystery of them always leaves me wondering.   Why is it so hard to forget the past hurts, pain, lies, different goals, wrong type, not saved and etc... you feel in the blank___________, that it makes it so difficult to trust new relationships.   Why is it sometimes our emotions are so fragile like an expensive vase that we keep them on the shelves of our lives never to take them down.  So they sit on the shelves, and they collect dust, sometimes we take it off the shelf if only for a little bit we dust it off  but because we are too scared or fearful that it will break we quickly put it back on the shelf for it's protection, for safety.   We may even go as far as to put the vase in a case, and we may even lock it, so that it makes it impossible for anyone to ever touch the vase.  Then we put the key away, in safe place.  

My thought is that just as vases are meant to be used to hold beautiful flowers, our emotions, our hearts are meant to be filled with love for another.  We were not created to live in isolation.  We were not created to live in fear.  I know that with my mind, and my intellect, but I cant' convince my heart to follow so easily.   I think that sometimes i'm so afraid of being hurt( of my vase breaking) that i'm not even willing to give love a try.  I'm not willing to risk being hurt.  I'm not willing to be vulnerable with another person.  What my intellect knows is that love is worth the risk, it is worth stepping out of one's comfort zone to experience the love that God has given us to share with one another.   What I have been told that even if your heart gets broken, it won't be broke always, you can recover.  

As I ponder these thoughts, I know that I have lots of relationships with both men and woman that I keep at a distance.    I'm working on it, I'm working on letting my guard down, and I want to encourage you today that if you have taken your precious vase and put it in a case and locked it with a key.  Go get your key, unlock the case, and for today at least let there be access to the vase.  Let there be access to your heart.  You don't have to take it off the shelf immediately but you do have to take it out of the case.  The vase of life is most beautiful when those around it are free to put flowers in it.   When those around are able to experience the gift that you are to the world.  

I hope that as I have shared my thoughts today, that someone in this cyber world has been encouraged to try, to trust and to know that you are not alone.

Peace and Blessings,
TS

Stuck in the Snow.......

So the first thing I need to sayis that it's official.  I have dugged my car out of the snow for the very first time yesterday.  14 inches approx.....  What's crazy is that even after I had spent hours shoveling the snow, I was still stuck in the snow.  It wasn't until someone came along and gave me a little push to get over the final mound that I was able to leave on my journey.  Then today, day 2.  ( I didn't save my space yesterday with a chair) So last night I parked in an available space one that was dugged out by someone else.  One that I thought would be no problem in getting out this morning but once again today, I was stuck in the snow.  I shoveled again, and again, and again.  Took me forever to get out of the space...... but I perservered. 

It lead me to this thought that sometimes in life, we get stuck.  What's interesting is that with no fault of our own, we did our part.  But to no avail, we still aren't able to move forward.  Two things that I learned the last few days
1.  is that we are not meant to take this journey by ourself.  See if it hadn't been from a little help from a stranger.  I would still be stuck.  
2. Sometimes no matter how hard we plan, or try sometimes it's just inevitable that we will get stuck again.  

See I thought that just by the mere appearance of the space, that I would have different results than yesterday.  But I was wrong.  It doesn't matter where I park, I'm probably going to get stuck.  I know your asking what's your point preacher.   Sometimes in life we can't change the circumstances we find ourselves in, because what's around us hasn't change.  It won't be until the environment changes that I will no longer get stuck.  It also doesn't mean I will be stuck for ever.  It's just for a spell.  So be encouraged that if you find yourself not being able to get out of the rut.  It's because your environment hasn't changed yet.  You just have to take it day by day.  If you carry your shovel(I mean bible) with you always, you will know that God will never leave you or forsake you.   He will either send someone to give you a little push when you need it or give you the patience to press on.  Either way know that the snow will eventually melt.  But also know that it will snow again.  So expect to get stuck it's just a part of the process of life. 

With The Flow of Traffic

Are you living life in the fast lane trying to zoom past those that are moving too slow in your opinion.  Or are you in the slow lane, merely holding up traffic.  Or are you somewhere in the middle flowing with the traffic.  Your going the right speed, your not afraid to past others, and your also not going so fast that you can't let people in.  

I would like to think that most of us are somewhere in the middle.   However, I'm finding out that even in my own life when I'm in the fast lane, rushing to get somewhere, I'm only thinking of self.  I have my own agenda, I could care less, if I cut you off.  I have a destination and I have to get there and you are holding me up.     My focus is on one thing and one thing only to get there.  (where ever there is)   I see this in my faith walk in the moments when I'm very anxious about what God will do or say.  And instead of waiting to hear from God on the answer, I do the very thing that I shouldn't do.   In essence I tell God, " I got this."

There are other times in life when I'm in the slow lane.  I'm still only concerned about self.  I don't contribute anything to those around me.  I just don't want to be bothered, because I'm too hurt, or too sad to be bothered with others.  It's the time when things just don't seem to be going well and instead of shaking them off, I get caught up in them.  I isolate.  I don't let anyone in, and I don't give anything either. I'm moving forward but I'm only doing what is necessary to get by.  It is at these times in my life when I'm not productive at all.   Unlike the times when I'm telling God, "i got this."  It's at these moments when I'm saying absolutely nothing to God.  I'm not praying, not studying and not focused on the blessings of God.

Where should I be, with the flow of traffic.  I should be with the body of believers.  I should be in a place where there are others around.  In a position where I can help and where they can help me when needed.  There are times when you must move past the group only slightly, but not so far that you become separated.   There comes a time in our lives when we have to remember that this road we are on, is a journey.  We've got to remember the days when we first learn to drive.  We were cautious, we were always obeying the speed limit because we were just happy to be driving. It didn't matter if people cut us off because it just didn't matter.  We were also too scared to go to fast because we didn't think we could keep up and it seemed just to dangerous.    In life we may forget and go too fast, and there will be other times when we are going to slow, but if we just remember that in the end God is the ultimate driver.  He directs our path, he orders our steps and if we just remain faithful, we will receive all that God has promised.  It says in  Hebrews 10:26-33


Don't ever forget those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.  Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better things waiting for you in eternity.   Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Rebuilding The Walls Of Our Lives Together

Just this week I've started studying Nehemiah.  He was a great leader of people.  However, even though Nehemiah was a great leader the one thing that he understands is who God is.  Why do I say that, when Nehemiah found out that his ancestors were not doing well in Jersuleum. He didn't complain, He didn't get angry.  He weeped.  He felt the pain of the people that were suffering.  Then Nehemiah began to pray and fast, that God would prepare him to help his people.

Nehemiah 1: 3-6a  I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.  Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,  listen to my prayer!

It is said that before he made a move he stayed in prayer for 4 months waiting to hear from God.  He was diligent in preparing his self by confession that not only did he know that he had sin, but even his family had sin.  But he asked God to remember the promises that you have given your people to bring them back to the promise land.

It is my desire to be like Nehemiah. To wait for God, to not rush God.  To be the type of Chrisitian that just doesn't pray after I have been disobediant to God.  Then I have to ask God to fix my problems when I know I shouldn't have done it in the first place.  I want to be the type of Christian that is also willing to tackle the impossible.  I have to be willing to step out on faith to rebuild the wall.  

The wall represents the weakness in my life.  It's the places that if not protected or strengthen can in essence destroy me.  It's the things in my life that I know are no good for me, but I continue to do them anyway.  It's the places in my life where I have been hurt and even though I am healed and recovered.  I still walk through life as if nothing has change and I am still hurt.  For example, there is a senior saint that I know that fell about 4 months ago and has been in the hospital for most of that time.  She desires to go home, but because she fell 4 months ago and hasn't walked in a while, she is afraid to walk.  Her body has been healed, her muscles are able, but in her mind, she can't do it.  I think that is a great example of how I operate in some areas of my life.  Everything points to being healed. But I have made up my mind that I can't.    

God desires for us to rebuild.  He wants us to pray, fast and wait.  He will  then give us favor in the places we need to rebuild.  He will send people that can help us through the process.  Because in most cases, we can't rebuild the wall by ourselves.  We need each other.  I need you to help me rebuild, and I will help you rebuild and together, the wall will get built.