Real Life Temptations and My Mega Million Reasons This Christmas

 Proverbs 15:16 - Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

          In real life we all get those temptations for more don't we?       While booking it down the highway on the way to work sipping my freshly brewed coffee, I realized something. I had coffee breath in a big way. There was no way I could go to work greeting people and washing faces without opening my mouth to breathe. I quickly pulled off at the next gas station and grabbed some strong mint orbit gum, so others  could orbit around me without complaint. The cashier asked me if I would be purchasing a ticket tonight. “ You know it is 500 some odd million in the jackpot right now.", she said taunting me. I glanced down in my wallet and low and behold sat 2 one dollar crisp bills. Just enough to cover my wonder breath and a ticket to boot.  “ Sure !” I said , “ Why not !” as I slid my 2 bucks through the little silver tray and heard the angels sing as my ticket came a rollin back.

                I pictured it. I would be one of the fluke people who bought a random ticket just because. I could see it on the news right now.I was just on my way to work and I said," why not !" I saw the newspapers too,  Woman buys gum and ticket too, winner in shock too much to chew on !  I slammed my van door shut and headed on down the road my mind suddenly filled with money, money, money." Sheesh!" what would one do with all that I began to ponder. A truck, my hubby wants a truck. A bigger home for sure. College funds for all the kids. Jonnethen will be driving soon, yup, he’ll need a car.  Work, ha work, I can kiss those days goodbye. Just staying home now, baking, gardening, canning, decorating, Better Homes and Gardens look out ! I found myself oddly day dreaming on my way to a night shift.Oh, and of course the ever popular, “ I would help people. I would give, and help, and build and feed !” That is what I always hear people say anyway, but who knows tell you hold all that money in your hand right.

             Ten minutes in  I jerked myself out of lah lah land  and it hit me, I wouldn't be any happier! I am happy right now. I thought of all I have.I started  rehearsing what I have now, why I'm thankful and why it is enough. I had just five minutes left  tell I pulled in to work and I needed to leave my money dreams behind and grab a thankful heart instead. I started a different kind of day dreaming. I began rehearsing what I already have and why I am glad for the way things are.

               I'm thankful my kids have learned to earn a dollar and appreciate it. I don’t want them to feel entitled. I am thankful it is not super easy for them. My daughter has bought an I pod  and a guitar, but with her own hard earned money. My son is learning to not blow all his too quick, he is beginning to save toward things. I am glad he is learning this as a teen and not too late in life. He has purchased his own snowboard and gear. My kids are not getting the X Box one for Christmas. We cannot afford it. But my sons did tell their dad that they love hunting now. They told him it is better then any video game. My oldest son has rarely played his games in months. It is refreshing and I'm thankful that they don’t have it all. My younger son says thank you often when he gets anything . He know his mom and dad work hard and I can tell he really appreciates it.

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                 I am thankful for our little home. My daughter told me she likes our home and she cannot fall asleep in big houses it makes her uncomfortable. She tell me our house feels homey. If my kids have things in life I want them to know what it means to work hard for it. To earn it and appreciate it. If they have little at times I also want them to learn to be content and thankful. Money is great, but it doesn't buy a happy home, grateful kids, or contentment. It can never buy peace with God,  true friendship, or kindness towards others.

                I would love to give my kids more. I would love a larger home where we could all spread out a little more. But I don’t have to have it to be happy. I would love to not work and  to be home. But God has given me a wonderful job. I couldn't be more thankful for that. I would love to give to the poor of the world. But I am thanking God I can give now, what I am able to those around me. I have a Mega Million things here and now to thank God for.

               We all want things, lets confess its human nature. I would still love to purchase my husband a truck. Something he could toss an elk or deer into with pride after hunting. Something big he could load fishing poles in and do what he enjoys  .When I drop my son at  friends homes, and see the large rooms and the open space it is easy for me to say," gosh would be nice !" Its my choice though to come home and sulk in our space or thank God for what He has given. 

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                  I  think even a million wouldn't be enough for some. There will always be bigger, better and more in life, Always.  Buying that ticket was a good reminder to me. I have a Mega Million reasons to be thankful today. I have so much. I have things money can never buy. The ticket is in the trash. The winners  have been chosen, and I am at home happy with all that God has given. Sure I day dream at times, but I hope to bring my heart back to all I have already. I do not purchase these tickets on a regular basis. But if in a year or two I stop to buy gum and find a lone dollar bill wandering in my purse I may be tempted again to say, " why not. You cant win if you don’t play!" But I am already a winner. God has an abundance for us all everyday ! I cannot even begin to name my Mega Million Reasons this Christmas!

Real Life Means Words Have Power, But God's Word Has More Power !

                                                                                    In Real Life we are bound to hear words that hurt.    

.I love words. Since I was 10 I have been writing. My mom bought me a typewriter and since that day I have been clunking at keys. I found my voice with a pen and paper, or fingertips and a key board. I love words, but I also have an issue, words affect me. Way too much. At my age I  am more prone to see my weaknesses. I know my flaws and my weak points. Words may be a strength for me, but words, other peoples words when directed my way, well that is my weakness. God gave me the perfect guy, who I was so lucky to marry. He doesn’t hold in punches when he tells me of my little problem. “This is a problem you have had since I’ve known you !” He graciously said. At 35 years old I turned to him and admitted it, “Your right honey, thanks for saying that. I know this and something has to change.”

If you’re a Christian and have walked with the Lord any amount of time. If you have seen your own flaws too. You know change cannot be accomplished in a meditation class, or positive thinking. Change comes from God working on you. God renews our  mind I don’t renew it myself. Gods Word washes us .  I need more of Gods Word. I need to hide it in my heart. Psalm 119"11-" I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.I know this and God has brought it front and center to my attention time and again.

Proverbs 16: 23-24 says “ A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”  Wow if we could only speak words that would be sweet and healing, but we all need work with our words. Often man’s words ( and I have been guilty as well) can be cutting, hurtful, harsh. True at times yes, but loving? Often times no ! They can bring you down, isolate you ( if you let them ), or make you bitter. Sometimes someone will say something true that might hurt , but later benefits you. I don't mean those situations. There is for sure a time for words to hurt a little so they can later help us. Proverbs 27:6- " Faithful are the wounds of a friend." I am not talking about words of correction or even discipline , because those words have importance in my life as well. I am talking more about those words that are meant to harm you.They are thrown out for one reason, to do you harm in some way. Its an " I don't like you, so here ya go !" Kind of remark.The Bible does say  that our words can bring either  life or death. Proverbs 18:21-“ In the power of the tongue there is life and death, and those who eat it love its fruit.” It is a struggle to control our words isn’t it? But it is also a strong struggle to not let others words control us.

                Just recently my kids had a run in with other peoples words. My oldest son had heard the words, “ I hate you!” and had a mop shoved in his face. My son was told that him being born was a mistake by another kid. He came home in tears. “ Jonn !” I said. “ Is that true? Have mom and dad ever said you are a mistake? “ “ No mom!” he admitted. “ More importantly”, I went on, “Does God anywhere in His Word say you were a mistake? He said He formed you in your mother’s womb! STAND ON TRUTH!” I told my son, not wanting other peoples words to control how he views himself.

                Not but a few days later my daughter came to me with her own struggle with words. “Mom !”, she began” All the girls told me I never eat !”  I knew right away her struggle, she was embarrassed to eat in a crowd of girls. She went on…..” Do you think, they think I’m anorexic.” I tried not to laugh and be sensitive to her heart. I simply asked her, “ Amara, are you anorexic?” Me as a mom knowing she eats just fine at home. “ NO MOM!” She quickly declared. “Then Stand on truth!” I told her. “Don’t let others words affect you!”

Well my advice is fine and dandy when it comes to my kids.However

God is a parent as well and He has been prodding me with my little word problem. “Stand on Truth!” He has been telling me. I was convicted at how easily peoples words can hurt and down on my day. Here I was giving my kids advice that I still stuggle with, God is challenging me, just as I want to challenge my own kids to move on, to stand on what they know is true!

Why do I listen to others words more than Gods? This has to stop and I know it. I have had to do some major introspection and ask myself, Could it be Gods word has to be sought out. It requires time to know it. Mans words are NOW, in your face and abrupt. How often do I stew over and think of someone’s harsh words toward me. Do I spend that much time thinking of Gods truth? Do I review Gods Word like I do some sentence that was spoken in a unkind way?  Do I think on God’s Word, Do I hide it in my heart so it is there right when I need it? Shame on me ! Peoples words have power, yes ! But Gods Word is SO MUCH MORE POWERFUL! Hebrews 4:12- For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper then any double edged sword. It PENETRATES to dividing even soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. “  Now that is POWERFUL!

Something has to change for my kids. Something has to change for me. Those words that can so easily hurt need to be replaced with thoughts of truth. One of my favorite authors is Elizabeth George. I was reading her book last night, Loving God with All Your Mind. Here is what she said about Gods Word and its power in her life and her situation.......

“During the eight long years of this painful relationship (filled with harsh and unkind words) I kept asking, “Can’t anyone see what is happening here? Don’t you see God? God, just look my way! It’s so obvious she is tripping me up while I am trying to serve you. How can you let this go on time after time?” Every day for eight years- day after dreary day, year after frustrating year- I spoke daily to God and my husband about this seemingly hopeless and pointless situation. I constantly found myself thinking about this. For eight years I allowed this situation to rob me of time. I’d lived with this situation for eight years when I had a turning point. When it was time for my morning walk I grabbed a stack of my memory verses. As I was reviewing I came to a verse Romans 11:33” Oh the depths of both the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways.” I realized God knew this situation and He had even allowed it in my life.There was a breakthrough in my spirit as God used his Word to touch my heart in a new way. The message of Rom 11:33 washed me, it washed over me, and it washed through me. It gave me freedom from an eight year old struggle from this woman." Elizabeth George

 You would have to read the book to hear the whole story, but her point was Gods words brought her a real freedom. I wish I could personally tell this author, Thank you ! Thanks for sharing that words are an issue for you. I no longer feel alone. I rather realize God is working on us all. I love Elizabeth George. I love that she shares her issues. Depression, peoples words, looks, trials. She is not ashamed to say she had and has issues. But she so equally declares how God has helped her. I have an issue, words!  A strength maybe, but also a weakness . I need God, I need His Word to speak truth in my life and let the hurtful words drop at the wayside quickly. I need just as quickly to go to the source of truth. Jesus Himself!

God is loving enough to tell us we have flaws. Then his love stretches beyond to then work on us. He does not leave us, He works. He loves us that much! Words are my issue. I am no longer embarrassed to say it.I am only thankful God would bring it to my attention, so He can work on me.

We can all learn, when we see another’s flaws , ( which believe me we all will),  to speak a good word toward them. Proverbs 12:25 “ Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs him down,  but a GOOD WORD makes him glad. “ By a good word, that means Gods Word spoken in to a person’s life.  After all it is His Words that bring life. Psalm 119:130- The unfolding of your words give light, It gives understanding to the simple.” John 6:63 – “The Spirit gives life. The flesh counts for nothing. The words that I have spoken to you they are spirit and they are LIFE !” I hope I am learning to do this more and more as the years pass.

Maybe words aren’t your issue. What is? There is not one flaw, fear, feeling, that God does not address in His Word. It is God who changes us. Phil 2:13- “For it is God who works in you, to will and to act according to his good purpose.”Words have power, but let’s not forget Gods more Powerful Word.  Lets apply it to our own lives first. Then let’s turn and speak it in to a weary, down, fearful, doubtful, discouraged, proud, sorrowful, lonely, fill in the blank someone that God would put in our path. May we stand on truth when harsh words are spoken, and may our words bring health to others. Gods Word has Power.

Real Life brings real words. But in real life is a very Real God with a very Real Word. I can cling to it in a very real way. In whatever issue, weakness or hard time I have. He changes me, but He never changes. I can seek all sorts of avenues and book shelves to get some self help, but I know all to well I cant help myself..I can acknowledge I have a problem, I can take steps toward change, but I can also

go to the most amazing, powerful God. His Word is Powerful. I could study for months to change me, or with one amazing passage of scripture God can change my heart and mind.By hiding it in my heart, reviewing it and stewing over it. It is that powerful. When words are hurled our way may we cling to God s Word it is a very sure Word of truth. Stand on Truth !
              Our Words are never going to be perfect, but God's Word is perfect. I unfortunately will hurt others on occasion with what I say. Others will hurt me. But we all have a choice to go to the sweet honey of the Bible. To take in, memorize, and stew over God's Words about how he views us. People's words have power , but Gods Word has more power.

In Real Life We are Cracked, Weak, Dispensable...... but God is Unmeasurable

               This week was tough for me. I don't know what started it off bad, or just what event kicked it off in a wrong direction . However with each knew day it just seemed a little heavier . By my last night of work, I was not only exhausted but lying to myself. Reminding myself I am lonely, how tired I am, I feel stuck in a rut and on and on ( P.S. its never good to think too much when your tired). 

               Things I am usually light hearted about and move on from quickly were at my front door knocking with a BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. I had taken care of a man nearly the whole night before and was met by him the next morning. He started his morning cussing me out, yelling at me and being horrible. I wanted to shout in my worn out state, " Hey , its me. You know the girl who washed vomit off of you over and over and over again all night long !" But I didn't . Rather I added it to my already heavy shoulders and left work, you guessed it depressed.

              " I'd go to bed and feel better", I told myself and my husband. But I woke up in a not much improved state of mind. I took a shower and got ready for church, " Lord, I am depressed, please help me !" I prayed. I headed out of the house with the family and headed to church more out of routine then anything. I sat down still in my down state but heard exactly what my heart needed.

              I love how God hears us and meets us right where we are ! Church opened with this verse......1 Corinthians 4:7- For we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. Our pastor began talking about jars, they are easily breakable, expendable, easy for waste, fragile, weak. Oh that was so me this week, that is so me period. I am weak, easily broken....... But it is Gods surpassing power that I need to focus on. When I focus on me, this jar, good luck! But always 100 percent, when I focus on Gods surpassing power, when I am in His Word drawing in truth and strength, promises and hope, When I am hiding God's Word in my heart I am storing up treasure in this simple clay jar ! That is a sure cure to kick depression off my door step.

                Our pastor went on ,that surpassing power is UNMEASURABLE .That is my God ! I might be a jar. I might be weak, breakable. But I am not the treasure, Jesus is ! God can do things I never can, and it should be Him that gets the Glory for the victories in my life. I know without a doubt depression is going to knock on my lifes door again. I am not instantly cured from getting down, or discouraged or disheartend. This is real life after all and there will be times I just have a bad day. But there is one sure thing in my life, just as sure as me being a simple old jar. The sure thing is an unmeasurable God , who has a million plus promises for me and for you too. He is the treasure that fills my life. He is the strength that fills this simple jar when I let Him in.

               He chooses to fill us, that is amazing. I can focus on the things that get me down , or I can remind my heart and mind of the beautiful promises of my unmeasurable God found in His Word. The promises to give us all we need. Joy, peace, strength........ He fill our lives with good things. He fills these empty easily despensable jars with treasure, with Himself. Thank you Lord for hearing this cracked, weak , easily dispensable me, and for lifting me up and out of my day of depression. I look forward to all you have for me today ! I know if you are involved it will SURPASS my expectations. I am asking you to fill me. I am amazed that you even would. You are unmeasurable.
                How has your week been ? Are you having a week, a day , that has left you feeling like a old cracked jar. From one jar to another I hope you are encouraged to go to the source. I love that Jesus chooses to fill us. He takes something broken and uses it. I hope this week you find your strength in an unmeasurable source. 1 Corinthians says it comes from God and not from us. We have this treasure ! We have an unmeasurable God !

Deep Breaths: Isaiah 40:29- The God of the Weary

Deep Breaths: Isaiah 40:29- The God of the Weary: Welcome to Day #29 in the Isaiah 40 Series! Danielle is my sweet friend from Arizona.  We did not have nearly enough time to go ...

 REAL LIFE , REAL GOD

A few years back I remember leaving work early and going home. Home all alone I prayed about something that was so heavy it was almost unbearable. " God where are you ? " Was my question as I got down on the wood floor , really at my end. I couldn't see how God could be in this. I couldn't see God period. But isn't God so good, that when we seek, we find?  God meets us in those hard moments of life. He shows up !

I love that no matter what we go through in our parenting, our marriage, our friendships, our jobs that God is right there to meet us.  In the Bible we find Jesus in real life. We find him in the pains, the joys, the trials, and the struggles of life. He is there. He didn't shy away from the hard , or messy, The dirty, or the troublesome. Actually verse after verse we find him in the midst of it.

“Where are you?” Is what seemed to be my question. God was so gracious to give me His answer, in His word. He was here, right next to me on the living room floor. He was where He always is and has been, right next to people, available, ready, willing. If only I would come.I opened the Bible that day and read  Mathew 8. The whole chapter seemed to jump out at me as I found my answer to my question, Where are you God ? He was in Real life, He was even in my life and in these very real circumstances that real life had brought to our very door .

Some very important words popped out at me that day that gave me a confidence in my Lord. The beginning of verse 8 says , “Jesus came down form the mountainside.” My weary heart took a leap at those words, a leap it needed. The heaviness began to lift as I read on.

HE COMES........... Jesus COMES into bad situations, on purpose ! He knew what waited him down below, people in need, people in trouble, sick , hurting, poor , needy, messy. But he still CAME. My heart settled a bit as I felt like the Lord was comforting me too. He comes into our problems all the time. He deals with the messy, the hard, He purposefully meets us there if we let Him. There is confidence in knowing that He comes. The Lord was reminding me He willingly steps into our problems.

HE IS WILLING........ I read on as a leper said, " Lord if you are willing make me clean." Jesus said, he was willing. I knew at that moment as I was reading that God was willing in my situation too. If we ask, and come to Him, He answers and provides all we need. There is confidence in knowing that God is willing. Willing to listen, to help , to answer, to provide.

HE SEES............. When Jesus CAME into Peters house he SAW Peters mother in law lying in bed with a fever. I love that He saw her. He came into Peters home and the thing that he saw was a sick woman. I knew then on my living room floor that Jesus sees me too. When we go through trials or pain, He knows that. There is great confidence in knowing that God Sees. His eyes are not blind to pain, or trouble, rather He sees what we are going through.

HE TOUCHES.......... He touched Peters mother in law and healed her.  I knew that God could touch our family too and make this right. I knew just like Peters mother in law, we could get up from this hard time and wait on and serve the Lord . There is great confidence in knowing that He touches. He doesn't leave us in the pain. We may suffer for awhile, we may hurt temporarily, but a great hope in the Lord is that He will touch our hearts in the pain, one way or another. Wasn't that indeed what He was doing in this moment while reading, touching my heart ?

The chapter ends as Jesus gets in to a boat. A great storm swells and the disciples yell . “ Lord, save us we are going to drown.” Right there on the living room floor I felt the same way. “ Lord, I'm going to drown in this problem. This hard time. Help !”  I read on,Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waves and it was calm. My anxious heart calmed too. Yes this was a terrible storm, but I was reminded that He could calm it. . Jesus calmed my storm that day with His Word. Just like he did for his disciples in Mathew 8.

The whole chapter is full of Jesus entering, arriving and coming in to bad situations. On purpose ! He is in real life. He is in the grime of it all. My question was answered that day. As I wiped my tears and brushed off my jeans and stood up off our wood floor, I had a new confidence. Where was God ? He was right here with us, right here in this situation. On purpose.

I love the Lord. Why ? I love reading His Word and finding out where He has been. He has been in real life, from beginning to end. He has always throughout scripture showed up in the hard, the scary , the trial, the mess of real life. There, there in those moments we can find Jesus coming down and meeting us right in the midst of it.

Here are a few words I love from chapter 8...... He came, He entered, Jesus heard, He saw, He touched, He got into, He spoke.

He can calm the storms that real life brings. In my opinion only a very Real God can do that ! God is in real life. He seems to show up in the bad situations. Where will you find him ? Where is He ? Right here, right in the throes of life. Yes, even in the pain, the trials, the heartache, sickness, depression, you name it. God is there. If you don't believe me I ask you to go look  for yourself. Isn't that where we find Him in the absolute truth of His Word. Isn't that where we are reminded we are not alone, hopeless, or forgotten? We are reminded over and over again in scripture that He is in people’s lives from the very start of creation to the very end.

Go to Mathew chapter eight. Look through the words and try to find what pops out at you. You may be so encouraged at such an amazing God that you can get up yourself and move on in Real Life with a very Real God !