Getting out of the "slump"

It's been awhile since I've updated this blog. I could give many reasons, but I think it comes down to the simple fact that writing for this blog requires motivation for me, and I just haven't felt that motivated for a long time. I know I've let many things get in my way of what's truly important in life. Most of the time, it's just easier to update the other blog. But I've missed writing in this "online" journal. I haven't exactly lived up to the title. Maybe I've been in a slump. We all go through those days, right?? Praise God that he doesn't go through "slumps". God never "slumps" on his love for us. In fact, most of the time, when things get hard and life gets "busy", we wonder where God is. But, what we fail to remember is that God hasn't left us. We've left Him. I'm nearing the end of a long journey in my life and getting ready to start a new one. Looking back on it, there is absolutely no way I would have made it this far without God. He has seen me through every obstacle and every burden. I feel so blessed that He hasn't left me, like I've done Him so often. It's my new prayer for myself, and for anyone who might be reading, that we will come out of our "slump" and choose to live an active life for the one who is waiting for us!

The Road Less Traveled

I found this quote that got me thinking. "If you don't care where you're going, any road will get you there." That is so true. As Christians, we only have one road available for us to travel. It's a narrow, hard road to travel, but it's the only way if we plan on meeting Christ at the end of it someday. I love to travel. I've driven many, many roads in this country, most recently a 1400 mile trip in five days. But, before I left on that trip, I sat down and planned my directions. I made plans to end up on certain roads that would eventually bring me back home at the end of the five days. Isn't that the image of the Christian life? Arent' we making plans to end up at our Heavenly home at the end of our lives, or time here on earth?? If I could encourage anyone today who felt lost and without direction, I would tell them that there is a path worth making plans for. There is a road worth traveling, but you have to make plans for it. You have to follow God's directions to get there. Don't just pick any road to travel in this life, pick the road with the greatest reward!!!

He is the answer

I am 33 and I have found that there are times I still question the meaning of life. But, what I've found to be true is the older I get and hopefully the more mature I become in Christ, the more Satan throws those challenging stumbling blocks into my path. It's not a matter of questioning the existence of God and His master plan. It becomes more a matter of "why is this happening to me at THIS point in my life?" or "why is this a cross I have to bear in my life?" or even, "will this EVER get any easier?".

Here is the answer I've found for myself and the answer I keep coming back to even when I'm at my weakest. God is in control, yet there is this evil we must overcome to become worthy of ever hearing those words "Well done my good and faithful servant". That force is the prince of this world. He too has a plan. Look around you. He's everywhere. Listen to the news, watch t.v., listen to the lyrics of music, step inside our schools, your neighbors homes, take a long look at what you did and said this past week. Was getting mad and losing your temper necessary? Was cursing under your breath or in front of your children or at all necessary? Was hanging out with that person that always brings you down necessary? Was forgetting to thank God necessary? Was sleeping in instead of going to church to praise and worship God necessary?

Here is Satan's plan. Put stumbling blocks in our path....lies, self-doubt, envy, prejudices, desires for more, feelings that God doesn't care about you or better yet, doesn't even exist, that this world is all you need, even if you die tomorrow in your sins. And when that happens, you are stuck with him....eternally.

Here is God's plan. Putting His only son into an unbelieving world to die and to live again as an example to us that we can too. What does He ask of us? To remember Him, to be faithful to Him, to live our lives in a manner that He is all we need and if we die tomorrow, we will be with Him....eternally.

Yes, it takes faith. Some aren't strong enough to find it. Yes, it takes our praises and our worship. Oh, you say, it's too hard to get up on a Sunday morning and go to church. My question is , do you get up for school? Work? Your friends? Oh, I don't need to go to a church to worship God, they are a bunch of hypocrites anyway. Ok, don't go and make a beautiful noise unto the Lord. He only created the church. And, go ahead and judge the people before you go, they are only praying for you. Oh, lightning will strike if I enter a church. Oh, go ahead and make silly jokes and excuses. You have all the time in the world for that. Until it's gone!

It comes down to, do you have faith or don't you? God wants you to, Satan doesn't. You can't just live a good life and expect God to fully bless you. He has to be the center of that life, the focus. He has to be remembered and talked to, 7 days a week. If you're having trouble finding that faith, ask questions, read His instruction manual, talk to Him! Don't let another second go by where you don't question the meaning of life!!!

The road

It's been a good year. I believe God has blessed me so greatly and I just want to share a little bit of my praise and thanksgiving to Him. That's really what this blog is all about. I know sometimes it might seem that I'm getting on my soapbox, but it's only because I truly believe this is a way I can communicate my love for Him to all you readers out there. I see a world that is crumbling under the hand of deceit and lies. People all around me are living "worldy" lives far away from God and His blessings and wonder where He is when they want Him. If I can encourage one person through my thoughts, it will be worth it. I want all to know that God is a loving, caring God, but one who has a plan that is already set into motion. And the day is coming my friend when He will fulfill His plan and this world will be no more. Are you looking for something that you just can't seem to find in this world? Don't get me wrong, this world can be wonderful. But it's temporary. Listen to me when I say there is a road that leads to forever, and it's a road we ALL should be traveling on now. In this new year, don't look for the road, live your life like you are already traveling it. It's narrow, and few will find it, but oh the reward that awaits you at the finish line.

Here's a little song that I feel has some very inspiring words. May 2008 be the year that you start living for God and not for this world!! God bless!


Looking for a Road (theme from the movie Dale) by Brent Keith

I'm lookin' for a road
Might be dirty, might be gravel
I'm lookin' for a road
Only I'm suppose to travel
Might be right around a corner
Might be a thousand miles to go
But I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that road

I'm lookin' for a sky
Where I can see forever
I'm lookin' for a sky
That leads straight up to heaven
I'm gonna climb up every mountain
Til my soul begins to fly
Yes, I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that sky

And I know it won't be easy
And I know it won't be long
With every step I'm getting closer
To the place where I belong

I'm looking for a love
That's stronger than Jibralta
I'm looking for a love
That never sleeps and never falters
I might get knocked down and turned around
But I'm not giving up
Yes, I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that love

And I know it won't be easy
And God knows it won't be long
With every step I'm getting closer
To the place where I belong

I'm lookin for a road
Might be dirty, might be gravel
I'm lookin' for a road
Only I'm suppose to travel
Might be right around a corner
Might be a thousand miles to go
But I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that road

It'll take me to a place
That I can liven up my notes
So I'm gonna keep on lookin' for that road

Yeah, Yeah
I'm lookin' for that road
Yeah
I'm lookin for that road

Church

Here's a question I often ponder. If people believe in God, why is it so hard for them to give God 2 hours of their week on Sunday mornings and go worship Him with other believers? I guess I just don't understand. There are countless places we go everyday that we absolutely don't feel like going to, but we go anyway....meetings, work, family reunions, etc. So, if people give up their "precious" time to go places they don't really feel like going, why is it so hard to give up their "precious" time for worship? If you ask a Christian about what is probably the hardest thing they face in ministry, you will probably get the answer of getting people to come to church in the first place. There are countless reasons people give. Most of us have heard them all. And most of us expect them. I think I'd rather a person just tell me they don't believe than to tell me they do believe, but don't feel like coming to church. A true believer should be jumping at the chance to worship God in all ways possible, including being a part of his perfect plan, the church. I think there is really just a simple answer. I think it's fear. I think fear keeps us from performing the most important things we can do in life. I pray we don't let fear keep us from God's House. He built it. He's the chief cornerstone. As Christians, we are the stones in the framework of His building. Let's do all we can to keep provide our "support"!!

Open it up and see all the people

Do you ever sit in your church building and marvel over the beautiful stained glass or lovely decorations? Do you ever invite people to come to your church and tell them about the wonderful preacher or the powerful classes? So often people confuse the building and the preacher and the programs with the real meaning of the church. The church is not a building. It's not the programs. It's not the preacher. The church is the people. It's the body of believers joined together for Christ. (1 Cor. 3:16) That makes the church a living building. But all too often people use this idea as an excuse to not meet together on the Lord's day in a building. I like to think of the Lord's church as a beautiful tapestry woven together by the very hands of God. He has created a masterpiece. When the church is following the will of God, it is a work of art like no other. All of the layers placed together for a reason. The church has many priorities. They need to spread the gospel, first and foremost. God has instructed us to go out to all nations, preaching, teaching and baptizing. The plan is clear. The instructions are written for us. The church is a refuge amidst all the chaos in the world. As long as believers are united and meeting together, there will always be places for people to go to find that hope that they seek. The church is also a source of encouragement. Who else will encourage you to stay strong in your walk with the Lord while the world is telling you to abandon it?

There are so many reasons why the church exists. It's more than just a building. It's more than choirs and kids programs and potlucks. It's a group of people that have decided to follow Jesus and won't turn back no matter what.

Finally Home

Two thumbs WAY up for the lastest projects from Mercy Me and Casting Crowns....

My favorite....

Finally Home

I’m gonna wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck
And tell him that I’ve missed him.
And tell him all about the man that I became
And hope that it pleased him

There’s so much I want to say
There’s so much I want you to know

Chorus
When I finally make it home
When I finally make it home

Then I’ll gaze upon the throne of the King
Frozen in my steps
And all the questions that I swore I would ask
Words just won’t come yet

So amazed at what I’ve seen
So much more than this old mind can hold

Chorus

Bridge
And the sweetest sound my ears have yet to hear
Voices of the angels

Chorus


All songs written by MercyMe © 2007