Prejudice - When we turn our noses up at those who aren't like us...

Do you ever wonder if some people do not like you just because of who you are or what you believe? How does it make you feel? Are you hurt, mad or do you feel rejected or inferior? Do you ever not speak to someone because you don't like the way they look? Anytime we judge others we fall short in our Christian witness to them. Sure there are times when you judge whether something is evil or not but simply disliking someone because they are different than us is just plain wrong. Who are we to say our way is the right and only way. We can only say this when our way is in total alignment with the Word of God. I have a strong feeling that many of us often fall short.

Missed Opportunities

Sometimes a so-called missed opportunity may end up being a blessing. When you are young what appears to be the golden opportunity may really be made out of coal. Time will tell if failed opportunities are really failures at all. I don't think they always are, they are more like a re-direction, a chance to re-group and plan. If you think you have failed because of a missed opportunity, don't dwell on it, turn it into a positive experience. Learn from it, but remember many times the future will show the failure was not a failure at all, but a life success story... Sometimes when a door slams in your face two more will open in its place.

Worry

I worry too much; I worry about my family, I worry about my walk with the Lord and I worry that I worry too much. Do you worry? I know I shouldn't fret over stuff but I do. I didn't use to be this way; I was more carefree. God does not want us to worry all the time. I know people do, some more than others. If you are one of those who can't seem to stop the "worry machine" from working overtime then do this: Trust God more. How? By reading the Bible and talking to him and asking him to help you with your concerns. He wants to help you (and me)!

I feel better when I read God's Word. It helps me to know that others have felt like I do and God helped them. He has helped me too. I'm working on disabling my "worry machine." You should as well.

Another way to stop worrying is to help others. When you concentrate on other people you tend to not dwell on your own problems so much. Also, it helps to share with your friends how you feel and listen to them in return. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. " James 5:16

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for the simple pleasures in life, for the trees, ocean waves, palm trees, the forest, peaceful creeks, waterfalls, animals and so much more. We live in a beautiful world. Thank you God for these blessings.

I am thankful for a child's smile, a cool breeze, flowers in bloom, salt air, seagulls and the "senses" to enjoy it all. Thank you God for these blessings.

I am so thankful for my family. My wife is wonderful; she is indeed a blessing from God. Sometimes I think she could have done a lot better than by choosing me. I could be a better husband and I am improving slowly; she is patient with me. My children make me so proud. They are the best. I think about them all the time. My daughter-in-law is so gentle and sweet. She is exactly what I want as a wife for my son. My son-in-law is a hard worker and a good provider for my daughter. He treats her well and is very loving. Now, the most recent blessing from God... my two granddaughters. I want to live a long life so I can play with them, love them and yes... spoil them. Thank you God for all your blessings.

Lonely...

I sit in a motel room tonight and I feel lonely. I miss my wife. Life can often present times when we feel alone or sad because of our current situation. I had a uncle who felt lonely one day. He found out his wife (my aunt) only had a short time to live. In desperation he decided there was nothing to live for. He committed suicide by jumping off the Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay. I lost my aunt just hours later. Six months after that my mother died. I was five years old. I felt lonely. I missed my mother dearly. I still do. So, here I am thinking about life and family. I know I am never really alone because the Lord is with me always. I can call on him anytime and he will be there to meet my needs. Not my wants, but my needs. I thank God for my family. A family is a gift from God. No one knows how long they will live so we must make every moment we have with the ones we love special. We tend to take our love ones for granted. Love each day as if it is your last.

World Suffering...

God is good. The problem is that we often blame God for our problems. Most of the terrible things that happen today are a product of man's sin. Sickness, abuse, disease and crime are all but just a part of the pain that mankind has brought on himself. If a child is killed, it is not God who murdered that child; it is man through his own selfish greed. God has allowed man the ability to make choices. Some of those choices are good and many are bad. If God intervened in every situation if would take away from man's inherent ability to decide his own fate. As we all know we do not live in a world that is an island for each person. Our actions affect other lives. If a child is killed that child is now in the loving arms of God, never to suffer again. We do not understand this because we are not eternal in the sense that God is. God is supreme and always knows what is best. It is hard for us humans to trust him, but he is God, not us. He does know what is best.

Contentment...

Contentment is the neuro-physiological experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation (Wikipedia). What makes us content or satisfied with our current situation? People today are often striving for more and more, with more never being enough. If you keep the knowledge that you came into this world with nothing and you will leave with nothing it will help you put things into perspective. There is always someone in this world who has less than you. They would feel rich with your possessions. So why are we stressing over earthly things? Is this just the American way? Are we so materialistic that we will never be satisfied? Is the grass really greener on the other side? We must somehow learn that this earth will one day be destroyed. The only thing that will matter is our spirit. It will live on for eternity. If you are lucky enough to live a long life, it will not matter what you have because it is what you have done for Christ that is important. Be content, love life, thank God for your family, live for Christ and thank God for saving your soul. In the end it will be worth it.

"Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you've got."

Be patient, God's timing is perfect...

God's delays are not denials. We often pray and want things our way and not only our way, but our way now! God always knows best; often I will want something or fret over a problem and the next day it doesn't seem like such of a need or concern. God loves us and wants to hold us when we are fearful, doubting or lonely. If I could only learn to trust the Lord more.