Live. Laugh. Love.

 

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
      But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

Proverbs 15:13

How do we have a merry heart?  

How do we keep the bad news we see, hear, and read 

every day from breaking our hearts?  

And shouldn't our hearts be broken over the sins 

that separate so much of the world from God?

These are the questions that are swirling through my mind today.  

I certainly don't have all the answers but I do know one thing.

God is in control.

Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission.

Therefore, I have decided to believe this and trust His Word.

What does this mean for my daily life?

It means that yes, my heart breaks over the injustices in this world.

It means that I spend time in prayer for hurting people around this world.

It means I seek God's leading for things I can do in my piece of this world.

It means that I act on the impulses the Holy Spirit places on my heart.

What does this NOT mean for my daily life?

It does not mean that I despair of the state of the world.

It does not mean that I wrap myself in sackcloth and ashes.

It does not mean that I do nothing to make a difference.

It does not mean that I allow my spirit to be broken.

I choose the thoughts I think.

I choose the actions I take.

I choose to allow God's Spirit to flow though me.

I choose to enjoy a merry heart.

I choose to display a cheerful countenance.

Live. Laugh. Love.

Live the life God gives you.

Laugh with joyful abandon.

Love unconditionally.

 Live. Laugh. Love.

Salt and Light

Showing appreciation to someone is just a nice thing to do.  People do helpful or kind things for us every day.  Too often I know that I take these people and actions for granted.  I'm trying not to do that anymore.  I'm trying to be aware of kind or considerate actions, big and small.  Saying thank you and treating  people with respect is not only the right thing do to, it is the Christian thing to do.  If I am to be like Jesus, I must treat people the way He did when He walked among us. 
Even just a smile from a stranger can change a person's outlook for that day.  And if some gives me poor service or is unfriendly I try to remember the days when I don't feel well or just don't want to be nice.  And I have the Holy Spirit helping me.  As Christians, we should not expect non-believers to act the way we do, or maybe I should say the way we should act.  We are supposed to be different.  Salt and Light. 
These are the thoughts God gave to me today.  I'm talking to myself.  If anyone else benefits from these words, give the glory to Him.  He is faithful.  He is Love!

Everyday Miracles

Daily gifts from God's loving hands,

Glimpses of beauty He so richly shares;

Scattered jewels like grains of sand,

Remind us that He really cares.

Birds of scarlet, snow pure white,

Flowers crimson, skies of blue,

Yellow moonbeams, bright sunlight,

Emerald grass,sparkling dew.

 

Children's laughter, babies coos,

Caring words, compassionate tears,

Smiling faces, happy news,

Hugs from friends, listening ears.

Miracles of love so freely given,

Enrich my life each day.

God gives me a small glimpse of Heaven

With each wondrous display.

Thank You, Father, for Your gifts of love.

Thank You for the peace each gift brings.

Thank You for the hope that comes from above.

Thank You for the songs Your Creation sings.

"Walk in the Light of My Presence."

Sunshine!

Warmth!

Light!

Truth!

Obedience!

 Healing!

Hope!

Joy!
Heaven!

"Blessed are the people 
who know the joyful sound!
  They walk, 
O LORD, 
in the light of Your countenance.
 In Your name they rejoice all day long,
         And in Your righteousness they are exalted."

Psalm 89:15

Who Control's My Steering Wheel?

I am learning that life is so much easier when I let God have the driver's seat.  I just wish it hadn't taken me almost 60 years to figure out life works best that way.  There have been many times in my life when I've yielded control to Him and the road He took me on was full of joy even in the midst of trials.  Yet, for some unknown reason, I would eventually take back the steering wheel and veer off course.  

After I've made a total mess of things, I desperately invite God back into the driver's seat.  Thankfully, our God of mercy and grace retakes His rightful place and gets me back on the right path.  However, He usually allows me to suffer the consequences of my actions so that I may learn a lesson.  I do believe He often softens those consequences out of His abundant love and compassion. And then the joy is restored and I rest in His Presence.

I hope that at this stage in my life I have finally learned my lesson.  I know that I will be tempted to take control again.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will remind me of the consequences of being in control and that I will be able to resist that temptation.  I choose to surrender control of my life to my Father who loves me and knows what's best for me. 

I take comfort and encouragement from Psalm 30:5:

"For His anger lasts only a moment,
   but His favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
   but rejoicing comes in the morning."

"Father, Thank You for Your loving patience even when I don't deserve it.  Help me to remember how much better life is when I allow You to be in the driver's seat.  And thank You that joy always follows weeping when I trust in You!  In the precious Name of Jesus.  Amen"

Alive!

Today is a great day to be alive.  Yes it is very cold.  Yes it is very windy.  But we do not have 22 " of snow.  I am so thankful to be living in God's world and that I have the opportunity to serve Him in my job.  It is a blessing to work in a church with people who love God and desire to spread His word to a hurting world.  It is also a joy to work with people who love to laugh and who care about others.  So 'thank You, Lord, for the simple pleasures You place into my life every day."

"Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory!"

One of my verses this morning was 1 Peter 1:8. "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (emphasis mine).

That's how I want to live; believing and rejoicing with unspeakable joy and full of God's glory. I want people to see the difference being God's child makes in my life. Yes, I have troubles, sorrows, and trials. Yes, there are days when I would love to be able to stay in bed. That's the human state.

I want to live by grace, not by works. I can't do anything to make myself be the kind of person I want to be. God's Spirit living in and through me makes me that person. When I allow Him to fill me up I then overflow with His love, mercy, and grace which spill out onto people with whom I come into contact.

When I allow God's Spirit to flow in and through me, I am filled with "joy unspeakable and full of glory". What a wonderful way to live!