Happy New Year's Eve~

New Year's Eve to all!


As our year winds down and a new one begins we will all be taking inventory of our lives and making resolutions about our health, our finances, our families, and hopefully our spiritual health too.

It is the perfect time for do-overs and fresh starts, and maybe you are looking forward to a brighter day ahead. I sure am.

For me there is no better way to end or begin a new chapter than through prayer. Why? you ask. Because, dear people, prayer opens up a channel through which God's power and love flows mightily into the situation being prayed about. In what area of your life do you need to see a mega dose of God's power at work? Don't just stand there. Give God something to work with by opening up that channel through prayer. CHOP CHOP!!!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, You have been faithful. Here we all are, alive and well, and ready for the task at hand. This was a year where we all learned more about You and the importance of taking a moment each day to talk to You, and You answered us in mighty ways. We move confidently into 2013 knowing that with You by our side, we and our families will be blessed. And thank You that You never let go--even when we squirm. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Isaiah 41:13 (Message Version)
I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.' I’m right here to help you.

Good News~

Have you been given any good news lately?


I remember back in March of 2005 when the doctor walked out and told our family that my father-in-law would NOT die from the massive hear attack he had suffered as being good news! I also remember when Jorge had his surgery for skin cancer, and the doctor came out and said it had not spread and he would have a 100% recovery. And remember the famous break-in I had at the house in January of 2010? It was good news when the cops called that they had apprehended the perps and found my cameras. More recently, there are rumors around the office that we might be getting Christmas bonuses, and that is certainly good news.

We have all been there--the times when we have held our breath to see if the school test was passed and if the check-ups declared us healthy. Toxic relationships finally met their end and a stubborn wall of non-communication came tumbling down.

All these things and so much more qualify as good news.

Yet...

There is a bit of good news that makes all other good news pale in comparison.

Luke 2:8-11
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

Oh oh! I feel a happy dance coming on!!!

This is the only good news I have ever heard of that is of great joy for all the people. Only a handful of folks really care about my good news and yours, but Christ's birth is good news for every single person alive on this earth because we all need hope, love, and salvation.

Let's spread the good news on Christmas morning. I have an assignment that will bless you and your families. Before you sit down to a breakfast or start opening gifts, have the youngest member of your clan read Luke 2:8-20.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding us today that no matter how good or bad the news is that we receive, we have already been given the best possible news, and because of Him, we have a bright and beautiful future. Glory to Your name and peace on earth. In Jesus' name, Amen~

Be Glad~

Good beautiful morning~

 

Are you having a nice day? Are you glad? Are you rejoicing?

 

If you are, then you are perfectly following the recommendation in the verse below.  If you are not, then turn that frown upside down and get with the program!!!

 

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

 

No matter what is happening in the world around us, God is reminding us that this day is His.  He made it, and He expects us to celebrate that we are alive to experience it.  

 

Do you have one thing--just one--that you can be happy about?  How about two things? Three or more? I am happy about each of you, so that puts me ahead by a lot!!!!

 

No matter what, dear one, and trust me when I tell you that I have had many low days myself, there is always one thing that peps me up and make me want to do a happy dance.  That One thing is Jesus, who came as a little baby.  He left the glory of heaven to understand me better as a human on this earth.  He gave it all so I could have it all, and one day I will. 

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Some days we do not feel like rejoicing.  But because You know best, we will follow the advice in the verse above and be glad anyway!  We are glad that You understand us.  We are glad that we are alive to live another day.  We are glad that even when there is maddening stuff happening all around, You protect us.  We will honor You today by being glad.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~   

CLING!

Good Morning~


So let's tackle the topic that has been on all our hearts since Friday. What happened in Newtown is unthinkable and heartbreaking in ways I pray we will never fully understand. I watched the memorial service yesterday, and what I find compelling is that even though there are those who question how God could allow this (I myself have struggled with this), that community has overwhelmingly embraced God in the middle of this horror. Friday night the community held a vigil attended by hundreds, and yesterday's inter-faith service was attended by everyone as well.

I think one of the reasons for that is that the people of Newtown, like everyone else in the planet, have a God-given inner stirring that compels them to believe in the existence of God. In other words, every single person who has ever walked the earth has a soul, and that soul, like it or not, searches for meaning, for purpose, for blessing...

Consider for a moment the most remote, aboriginal tribe, deep in the Amazon jungle. There have been some discoveries of tribal people who have never even had contact with the outside world. They have never heard of Jesus, used a cell phone, or even had electricity, and yet, you will always always always find that they were worshipping their version of God--even if it was a coconut on a stick. Why is that?

Ephesians 3:11
...He has planted eternity in every human heart...

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

You join these two verses and essentially what we know is that we were created with eternity already in our hearts and God's creation helps us everyday to have faith that this life is not all there is. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

So, these families in Newtown, although devastated, hold onto the hope, that one day they will be reunited with their children. No matter how angry they are at God, they also accept that their children are safely in His arms and for that reason, they cling to Him. They cling through tears, anger, pain, but they cling.

Let us cling as well.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
We are in shock over what happened. It is truly beyond the scope of our understanding why these things happen. We know that You are the source of everything that is good but that there is also so much evil in this world. Help us to do good every single day, and just like Your word teaches, we ask that You deliver us and our families from evil today and everyday. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Give Me a Break!

Mele Kalikimaka :)

Proverbs 13:12
Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.

Have you ever felt heartsick? Have you ever been so sick and tired of bad news that you were sick and tired in your body and mind? Day after agonizing day there seemed to be no positive end in sight.

Maybe that is where you are right now. But what I love about this verse is that (1) God acknowledges that life is hard--that there is such a thing as being down in the dumps. If you can't own up to the fact that life is not 100% great 100% of the time, then you can't fix it. And, (2) a sudden good break can turn it around!!!

Just like there are unrelenting seasons of disappointment in life, there are also sudden good breaks that come our way.

Could you use a good break today? God is the giver of all that is good, including a break!

Matthew 7:11
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.

Stop the presses! We are sinful. You didn't think you were perfect, did you? And yet we know how to give good gifts to our kids. How much more will our perfect heavenly Father give to us? A lot more! Included in those good gifts are good breaks.

What is He waiting for? I need a break right now. "Give me a break," we yell sometimes when we feel pressure at home, at work, in our relationships, when the creditors call...

Check out the last part of the verse...to those who ask Him. God is all about relationship, people, and perhaps if He gave us everthing we ever needed without our asking, we might just ignore Him until we get to glory.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, You know each and every one of us and where we are right now. Some of us are in a great place, so thank You. Some of us are in the midst of unrelenting pressure and disappointment and need a break. You give good breaks, so give us one now because when You do, it turns our lives around. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Blessings in Disguise~

Chelo~

Would you ever say that having a stroke was a blessing in disguise?

I heard a story once of a mom who called the ambulance when she found her toddler unconscious.  The paramedics asked her and her husband to follow them in their car.  The parents were freaking out when they realized the ambulance was heading toward the cemetery.  But when they arrived they understood why they went there: The only place in their small town for the life-flight helicopter to land was the cemetery because there were no trees in the way.
Have you ever felt that you or someone you love was headed down the wrong road?  I have a cousin who recently felt as though she and her family were on the way to the cemetery because of a health issue with one of her children. As she was going through this difficult time she felt God was taking them opposite of where they needed to go.  But praise His holy name, it turns out the trial they all went through spared them an even harder ordeal. Said child was engaging in certain dangerous behaviors that if it would not have been for the health scare, the other stuff would have never been disclosed. That scary emergency room visit was a life- flight helicopter in disguise.

Another friend's dad suffered a stroke.  For sure they thought they were headed to the cemetery.  But it turns out the life-flight helicopter was there all along--warming its propellers.  Now her father--a FORMER smoker--has quit smoking entirely and is getting healthier every single day. 

Has there ever been a time in your life when you thought the worst was happening but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for these blessings in disguise.  We take a step of faith today and trust You even when it feels we're heading the wrong way.  Our life is in Your hands, and we know You will get  us to where we need to go.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

BE THE GOOD IN THE WORLD :)

Yesterday I saw a t-shirt with the following message on it:


BElieve
THEre is
GOOD
IN THE
WORLD

Isn't that profoundly simple yet true?

Time out for a comic strip I once read.

A turtle is complaining to God about all the hunger, disease, sadness, hunger, and injustice there is in the world. He shakes a little turtle foot at God and says, "Look at this mess this world is in. Why don't You do something?"

And then God responds, "Funny you should ask because I was just about to ask you the same thing!"

BE THE GOOD IN THE WORLD!!!

Do you desire to see less divorce? Then start by fighting for your family because that is good and it will perpetuate goodness as they grow and start their own families.

Do you desire to see people pray more? Then be bold and start asking folks if you can pray for them when you sense a need, and I can assure you they will start praying more too and before you know it, you have started a revolution.

Do you wish to see an end to depression? Then be happy wherever you go and cheer someone up.

The possibilities are endless.

Time out for another story:

There was a priest who spent his life helping wayward youth, and one day one of his fellow priests was belittling him for spending so much time with these "lost causes."

But one of these "lost causes" grew up to be a police officer who was called to an on-going robbery at the local church. To make a long story short, the officer took a bullet for one of the hostages when the robber opened fire. Who did he take the bullet for?

The very same priest who years earlier had said it was a waste of time to spend so much energy on kids who never changed.

Doing good really makes a difference :)

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Here we are again today but with a new perspective on how we see the world. You long for Your children to rise up and declare that they will be the good this world needs. We are willing. Strengthen us to do good--especially in our immediate circles. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Spread the Love

Chelo~


I heard on the news this morning that companies like Google and Comcast are working on technology that will monitor you while you are watching TV and then send tailor-made commercials just for you.

The examples given by the broadcaster included these:

"If you and your partner are making out on the couch, they might send you a commercial for birth control."

"If the technology picked up that you and your partner were arguing, they might send you a commercial for marital counseling."

Isn't that a scary thought? But it raises an interesting question. If they could somehow someway sense your fear, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and all around feelings of gloom in general, would they send a Bible verse? Would they send Jesus?

Probably not, but that is why we are here, people. I have said it before that we are Christ's outstretched arms on the earth. When He wants to encourage someone, love someone, help someone...He will use you.

Immediately I can hear some of you wondering how on earth you can encourage somebody else when you so desperately need it yourself.

Let's take a time out for a story.

A couple of years ago I was asked to pray by someone who's child was having an issue similar to an issue one of my children was facing. I was mega gung-ho about praying about it because I figured we would pray for both of our kids. And we did--faithfully--for several weeks. Then one glorious day she received a Divine answer, and I did not.

While I was happy for her, I was more upset that I was still waiting, and that was WRONG WRONG WRONG! I think my complaint at the time was something like this, "Really, Lord? Why not answer us both? I am so tired! How can this be?"

But alas, God allowed that in my life to show me a powerful lesson, and that is while we are still in the middle of a problem, or crisis, or whatever, we are to exercise our faith, encourage others, and continue praying because in doing so, God is going to encourage us!

Did you know that if I would have waited to write the DEVOs only when I had received every answer to every prayer I have ever said, I would not have even started to write? And that would have been catastrophic because God has blessed me immeasurably by letting me see the answers to prayer He has given to many of You.

If I could go back right to the time my buddy got her answer and I didn't, I would now say this, "Wow, Jesus! Thank You! If You answered her, then my answer is on the way!"

I would have used her answer as a faith strengthener in my own life.

How do we tie this all up?

You have to spread the love even when you don't feel like it because no one else is going to do it, certainly not Google, but it will make it's way back to you. This is God's way, and it is good.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, What is this world coming to? The thought that I could be monitored by my TV just so advertisers can make money is scary and offensive. They do not care about me, but You do, which is why You tell us over and over again to love You and love others. By doing that we will have a blessed life. Thank You, in Jesus' name, AMEN~

Galatians 6:9-10

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all...

Take That First Step :)

Tuesday Greetings~



Yesterday's one resounding response to the DEVO was, "How can I get God's arm down here to help? He seems so far away...It seems like His arm is too short..."

Well, glory glory hallelujah; the Bible has an answer for you!!!

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you." James 4:8

We must take that first step, and when we do, God responds. He perfectly executes His part of the deal, so what is the problem? Are we drawing near to Him? How do we even do that?

We start off by what? All together now: PRAYER!

We all know the Lord's prayer, and one line in there has a pretty clear guideline as to how often we should pray: "Give us this day our daily bread."

We should come close to God everyday by prayer. At least once. Sometimes, depending on the urgency at hand, I have been known to pray every five minutes (Ask Hormone and Rayray). And one time I received a frantic call from a mom whose daughter was about to run off with a miscreant of society, and she and I had a three-hour prayer marathon. For the record that young lady is now a happily married mother of two!

God is so good, dear people, and He longs to lavish us with His goodness. It starts with our coming close to Him.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, We come close to You now in prayer. Thank You that You are right here with each and every one us. Wrap Your arms around us and help us. We need You so much, but You need us too. We are Your children, and You love it when we spend time with You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Short Arm? NOT!!!!

Happy Monday :)




I love rhetorical questions because it's like saying "DING DONG or DUH!" in a nice way.



Kind of like when I used to say to Hormone, "Is your room going to clean itself?"



But before I ask you one, I want to point out that I spoke with several of you over the weekend, and there's a lot of stuff on our minds. In our DEVO group there are those who are unhappy at work, unsatisfied in relationships, freaking out over their kids, worried about money, experiencing health concerns and so on and so on and so on...



It's the same old stuff. But here's that question I told you I was going to ask, and it is from Isaiah 50:2 in the Bible:



Is God's arm too short that it can not help you? Does God lack the power to rescue you?



I love those questions because they point out the absurdity of even asking. Of course God's arm isn't too short nor is He lacking in any power.



Where would you like for God to reach down today and bring rescuing power?



PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

I are weary and tired and discouraged sometimes, but not when You remind me that You are more than enough to bring the help and rescuing I need. I invite You to extend Your more-than-long-enough-arm and help me. And I cry out to You for Your rescuing power in (fill in the blank) !!! In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Up Up and Away...

This past weekend I experienced all the emotions that are humanly possible from deep sadness to my-stomach-hurts laughter. We humans are a crazy, unpredictable bunch, and thank God that He knows it and loves us anyway.

One emotion I also felt was admiration.

I spoke with a lovely young lady who was well within her right to be upset about something but chose to overlook it for the greater good. And as soon as I heard her story, I knew I would share that principle here with you all as well because there is a mighty lesson in it for us all.

As always, I will keep the details private, but I encourage you all right now, right here, to think about what's been upsetting you lately. There is always something bothering us that is not as big a deal as we are making it out to be.

A mom, embraced on either side by her two surviving daughters as they hover over the casket of their son/brother is a big deal--too big for any of us to fully comprehend it. And that is what I saw recently. Think about what your problem may be today and ask yourself if perhaps you should let it go.

How, then, do we do that? Imagine a helium balloon with a big twirly ribbon attached, and let's pray.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

Sometimes we humans are grudge holders. And it makes our hearts heavy. Today we choose to let it go. Just like a helium balloon, we want whatever is bothering us to float up up and away, and if we try to catch that balloon again by worrying about it or thinking about it or becoming upset about it, we realize we can't because it is closer to You now than us. We offer this prayer to You and ask You to heal our hearts and give us a fresh new perspective on what really matters. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Hebrews 12:1-3

...Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

These verses are cool, people! There's junk in our lives slowing us down, and it can trip us if we're not careful. SET IT FREE! That joy that awaits must be AMAZING if if compelled Jesus to endure the cross. That is also the same joy awaiting us. I CAN'T WAIT :)

I Love Christmas~

I love Christmas!!! I am one of those who DOES NOT get offended with Christmas trees in September. I put the mistletoe up in my office the Monday after Thanksgiving, and one of my favorite songs is, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." Also, I wear jingle bells around my neck and put Christmas light appliques on my nails. I also make it a point to say, "Merry Christmas!" wherever I go, and of course I shop right along with the rest of the maddening crowds because I love the crowds!




No, I do not have a fever. I just love this season and celebrating the birth of our Savior. Is there anything better to celebrate than this anyway? I don't think so.



I am also aware that for many this is an extremely difficult time of year. I have especially been thinking about Andy's mom and dad. He is the young man who passed, and I can not imagine what this Christmas will be like for his family.



So I want to challenge each and every one of you to do something extra special for somebody else--maybe even a complete stranger.



What if your, "Merry Christmas," were the only kind words spoken to someone all day? What if your putting a little something something extra on the tip line caused the waitress or waiter to say, "Thank You, Jesus?" What if your toy donation brought a smile to a child whose parent is in jail?



But what if you are feeling blue and don't have the energy or desire to bless someone else? Read these verses:



Deuteronomy 30:8-9

...keep all His commandments and God will outdo Himself in making things go well for you.



One of His many commandments is found in Romans 12:10:

Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love.



Notice how God doesn't put any exceptions on this verse. He always says what He means, and He doesn't say only be kind when you feel like it or when everything is going well for you. If we put two and two together we can conclude that God wants us to treat others with love and respect no matter what. But, then He Himself will make things go well for us.



Dang if that ain't good news! In other words, it is never ever a bad time or inappropriate time to be kind because even if you ain't in the mood, God will bless you for it.



PRAYER:

Dear Lord, If we're being honest, we do not always feel like being nice to others, and there are some people we meet whom we would rather slap than bless. Thank You that we can be honest with You about how we feel. Nevertheless, Your Word is clear, so help us today to be a blessing. Help us to see the bigger picture: If we can rise above how we feel to be kind toward others, You Yourself will outdo Yourself in making things go well for us. We'll take that deal. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Better than a thousand days...

Greetings:)



How many of you woke up to a perfect day? How many of you are living a perfect life? How many of you are 100% carefree? GET OVER YOURSELF!!!!


No matter how spectacularly wonderful your life is or isn't at the moment, there is a TRUTH that I want us all to embrace, and it is found in Psalm 84:10.


"For a day in Your presence is better than a thousand anywhere else."


Ultimately, this is great news for each and every one of us because if your life has been perfect, it still can not compare to the glory that awaits. But if your life has been a mix of ups and downs and joys and sorrows, then all it will take is one day with our Lord to forget all about the former struggles and get your eternity on!!! Hang on, people, God has got our back!



PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

Really? Just one day with You will be so awesome that it can not compare to even a thousand picture-perfect days on a caribbean beach? Then we can't wait. When we go through a rough patch remind us that the best is yet to come. Sometimes we experience disappointments and heartaches that take us months and even years to get over. But all it will take is one day with You to realize what true joy is. Thank You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~