Taste the Butter

   I am not a big fan of bread. I will eat it, but it is not something I am excited about eating. Now, if you asked me to eat toast (which is technically bread but warmed up) I would eat it. Or if you asked me to eat Texas Roadhouse Rolls, I would be there. Why? Texas Roadhouse Rolls are warm and flaky. But what really makes the rolls is the butter. It is cinnamon sugar butter. I'm telling you it is so good, especially on a warm roll.

   But, because it is so good, we use a lot of it. By the time we reach the last roll much of the butter is gone. So, if we use it on the roll the butter is spread very thin. That means it usually does not taste as good as the others do.

   Just like butter, we can be spread too thin. If we do many things during the week, keep busy, and keep working without rest we will be exhausted. Then, when we must get up and do it again, we do not do those things as well as we were originally. We are tired and cannot give as much as we would like to.

   Therefore, it is vital to rest, lest we be spread too thin. Psalm 127:2 says, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." If we are so busy that we are getting up early and going to bed late, then we will be so burnt out we will not be able to give our best to God. Our butter will be spread so thin that we will not taste the goodness of God as much.

   We must take time to rest. To be in silence and solitude. This is how we will be sure we are not spread too thin. God rested on one day of the week for a reason. It was an example for us. He knew we would try to rely on our own power. We would continue to work so much that we would not be able to taste the goodness of life. To enjoy God's blessings and see his glory.

   So, are you being spread too thin? How can you make time to rest and spend time with God? What can you do to rest today?

  

How You Relax

    One day I was doing a devotional for the LBC Women's Soccer Team about stress. I talked about how we all relax in different ways. Some people read. Others watch TV. While others, who are much more devoted than I, may go for a run. It doesn't matter how you do it, but everyone needs to relax at some point or run the risk of burning out.

   During the devotional I asked the girls how they combat stress, or what they do to relax. There were many of the typical answers then one girl said "Jesus." The coach thought she said "cheese." This misunderstanding made everyone laugh. 

   The truth is that Jesus is a good answer for this question. He even encouraged his followers to relax. Mark 6:31 says: "And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat." Jesus recognized that needed to rest. Yet, if you look at this passage in context, this is where Jesus feeds the 5,000. He wanted to rest but he did not let his wants get in the way of an opportunity the Lord gave him.

   Finding a balance of completing the mission God has given you and resting is vital. There will be times we really want to rest but an opportunity comes up. We must be willing to sacrifice as Jesus did. We also must be smart about resting when we have time.

   So, are you resting when you need to/have time to? Are you looking for opportunities to spread the Good News?

All the Pressure: Encanto Series

    Do you ever feel like you have so much going on in your life that it's too much? Do you ever feel pressure to be perfect all the time? Do you ever feel like showing emotion is weakness? Then you will relate to the song "Surface Pressure" from Encanto.

   This song is sung by Mirabel's older sister Luisa. Luisa's gift is strength. When someone in the village needed something moved, they would go to Luisa. There was a problem though. Luisa was strong physically, but she may have felt like she needed to be strong emotionally as well. She was the "rock" of the family. That is a lot of pressure. What happens to something if you put too much pressure on it? It breaks.

   See, like Luisa, sometimes we put too much on us. We are not perfect. We never were and we never were meant to be. There was only one perfect man and he walked on water. You can't do that. I can't do that. So why do we feel like we must be perfect all the time? 

   Maybe it is because we live in a world where an emphasis is put on success, money, having it all, etc. We feel if we fail, we are letting someone down. But in failing we learn. In failing we grow. In failing we see the need for a perfect savior. 

   Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us of this when it says: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." God wants us to come to him with our problems. He wants us to trust in him. He wants us to confess our sins to him so we can be with him in eternity. God doesn't expect perfection. He expects confession, love, and faith. He then gives us hope. We don't need to stress or feel pressure because God has taken that away with his Son's work on the cross.

   So, what are you stressing about today? How can you remember to trust in God instead of leaning on your own power?

 

 

You Don't Have to be a Beast of Burden

    One day I went to a church service. I was going through something medically related but everything else in my life was going well. I felt good that night overall.

   The service started and I began to get chills. Now it was hard to tell at that point if the chills were coming from the Holy Spirit, because it was cold, or because of my medical issue. I began to worry and overthink about my medical condition. At that point it was a weekend, and I wasn't on medical insurance. If I had to go somewhere it would cost a lot of money. 

   I began to feel the anxiety creep in. In the past, I had a major anxiety issue. I knew what it felt like for me. My brain began to become foggy, my heart raced, and I felt short of breath. But each time I told myself I was safe, and God was with me. This continued through much of the service. I finally realized what was happening. Satan was trying to distract me from what was happening. He didn't want me to focus on the service or God. He wanted me to focus on anything but God. That's when I knew it had to end. 

   I commanded Satan to leave me alone. I took my thoughts captive. I asked God to help me and to heal me. Suddenly I felt something wash over me. My brain felt peace first. Then I felt it in my spirit. I also didn't feel as much pain, which was part of my medical issue.

   So many times I think we think we need to handle things on our own. We think God can't help us or won't or we are scared to call on him because maybe he didn't answer us in a way we wanted him to before. But it's not our job to fix things. It's our job to trust him. It's our job to fix our eyes on him instead of our problems or the things of this world. You don't have to carry your burdens. You don't have to worry. You can give all that over to God. And he will give you peace.

   So, what are you carrying today? Will you give that burden over to God?

https://youtu.be/3yuvuH82Poc

Held During Anxiety

   There is one time in the year that my dog freaks out the most: when we go on vacation. That's because he needs to travel in a car for 30 minutes to my Aunt and Uncles' house. He does not like car rides. He will whine, cry, growl, bark, cut our legs with his nails, etc. The thing I didn't understand is I am holding him. I will literally hug him and he will still be freaking out. It did not make sense.

   Then I thought about how I have anxiety too. I whine, cry, growl, and get upset when problems come in my life. Yet, I am being held by the Lord. He is literally wrapping me in a big hug and I still have anxiety.

   In those times I remember Isaiah 41:10 which says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I don't need to fear because God is with me. In the highs and lows he's got me. He loves me. He helps get rid if the fear in his great strength.

   So do you believe that you are held by God? When fear and anxiety appear in your life what do you do? Who do you turn to?

https://youtu.be/jN_trWRCIDo?si=okMQIFAvM9Y8Jy9V

Judgement

   You are not a judge. Even if you are a real judge in the justice system you are not The Judge. Can anyone tell me why people find it so interesting to randomly look at people and judge them? I mean, what does it do for you? In the long run, you will ruin your reputation with others, make your friends wonder if you do the same to them, and waste your own time. How does this help you? How does this help others?

   I am sick and tired of going to places and hearing people gossip about others. I understand that some people people-watch for fun. It’s one thing to look at someone and wonder what they are up to; it’s another thing to look at someone and judge them based off of their appearance.

   I get that we all have first impressions, that’s not what I am talking about here. I am talking about when I walk into a store and I hear a group of people saying things about me. They aren’t anything nice either, most of the time it is exploiting my body or my clothing. Then after I hear them do that I begin to think different things. I think about what I can do to change the things wrong with me (and yes, I know I’m not perfect). I think about what I can say to tell those kids off. Mostly, I think about how I just want to get out of there as soon as possible (When Insecurities Come Up Blog).

   Then, after I leave I start to hear voices in my head. They say things like, “why can’t you work out more?” “Why can’t you keep your hair under control?” “Why don’t you try to wear nicer clothes?” (The TickingTime Bomb Blog). That’s when I go back and forth with those voices. I say, “why does it matter what I wear?” “Why do I care what those kids think?” “This is just the Devil trying to get me to look down on myself. God loves me just the way I am.” You know, the typical I know the right answers but it’s hard thing (When You Know the Answers Blog).

   When I was younger this process to get to the point where I ended this roller coaster thinking took a long time, days even. Now, I am better at shutting this down. That’s not to say I shut it down by my own power, in fact I don’t do it on my own. God has given me God-Confidence. He loves me for who I am. He knows my thoughts, actions, insecurities, talents, etc. and loves me. I have known that for a long time but thinking about certain things and verses have helped me.

   1 John 3:1 says: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” I am a child of God. He made me in his image, as he made you in his image. He cared enough about you and me to adopt us into his family. He knows we are quirky and sometimes annoying but he loves us. He loves you in spite of all your imperfections. He’s our great father who will help us through tough times we just have to choose to see that he is there helping us.

   Philippians 4:6 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I used to have pretty bad anxiety so this verse is very near and dear to my heart. I would overthink so much that I couldn’t sleep and couldn’t eat. I didn’t want to mess up. I didn’t want to be thought of as strange or weird. I didn’t want to let anyone down. I kept thinking I wasn’t good enough. Then I realized that I am always good enough for God. But, there’s more to it than that. I have a relationship with him. I can talk with him about my worries and needs. He will be with me no matter what.

   Galatians 2:20 says: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Finally, I remember that God gave himself for me. If the worst thing in the world happens to me, God is there. He showed his love for me by dying in order to have a relationship with me. It doesn’t matter if someone says I stink because the creator of everything loves me.

   Now, one last thing before my rant is over: we need to watch what we say about others. If you wouldn’t say it to a person’s face you shouldn’t say it at all. Words can hurt. In the end being mean and judging someone will not get you very far (unless you are a judge on a show, but most of us won’t get there). Instead of using our words to tear others down, why can’t we build others up? We are called to show God’s love to others. I think we need to give others compliments instead of criticism. Criticism does have a place if it is constructive (Galatians 6:1-2). But, many times we focus too much on the negative and not enough on the positive (A Story About Stones Wallsand Bridges Blog).

   So, do you have a tendency to judge others too much? When you are judged will you remember God loves you and will walk through that hard time with you? What can you do to encourage someone today?

   Image from here.

Ride the Wave

  We all go through them: seasons of stress. Maybe there are health problems in your family, maybe work is causing your eye to twitch, maybe someone in your family is making your brain explode. The list could go on and on but you get the idea. 

One time I was going through a season of stress a friend sent me a video. In the video someone was surfing a wave. The person fell as he was surfing. He went under the water. He was under the influence of stress. The problem is if we choose to wallow in that stress we will drown and die. 

The surfer got back up on his board and got ready to ride the next wave. The next wave was bigger but the surfer was more prepared. He was able to ride the wave. In life we can choose to stay down when stressful times come. We can have pity parties or we can get back up and ride the wave.

Psalm 118: 5-6 says "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" It is important to remember that we cannot learn how to ride the waves on our own and in our own strength. We need to ride with God. When hard times come we need to call upon the Lord. Sometimes that's easy other times it is not so easy. We may feel so beat up that we question if it's even worth getting up. That's when we need to call on the Lord. He will lift you up. He will prepare you for whatever wave you face next. He will remind you that with Him on your side man cannot do anything to you. 

So, will you choose to get up and ride the wave with God?

x

Good Grain

   Imagine you had to go out and harvest items in order to make dinner. In Bible times they had to do just that. They did not have a store they could go to in order to buy food. They had to work for their food.
   One activity they had to do was grain threshing. It kind of reminds me of searching for gold in one of those strainer like pans. Except, rather than sifting, they threw the grain up in the air. Why did they throw the grain in the air? In Psalm 1 we find the answer: "Not so the wicked, They are like chaff, that the wind blows away." Chaff is not a word that we hear too often nowadays. Chaff is the parts of the grain we don't use in the bread. The grain is the good part that we need to make bread.
   Why should you care about grain and chaff? I am not saying you should. What I am saying is that there is another lesson in this activity. Each day you go out and work in some way, shape, or form. I am sure that you don't come home from work every day saying, "I can't wait to go back. I love my job." More than likely you wake up thinking, "Oh I have to deal with that situation again." Or, "I cannot believe I have to work with that person." Those thoughts are like the chaff. We must hold on to the grain, which are the good thoughts.
   We have a choice. We can choose to focus on the positive each day, the grain. Or, we can focus on the negative things, the chaff. I don't know about you but I don't want to focus on something that won't produce anything. Grain gives life because it makes bread. Chaff will just bring death if that is all we focus on.
   So, do you focus too much on the negative? What can you do to stop focusing on the negative chaff? How can you focus on the good grain today?

   Philippians 4:8 and Proverbs 17:22

   Image from here.

Pulled 100 Different Directions

    I really wish I could start this blog by telling you I am just whelmed right now, as my sister would put it. Whelmed meaning I am just calm, normal, peaceful etc. I don't know about you but lately I have been a bit overwhelmed lately. At this point I am a preschool/pre-k teacher (which encompasses many more jobs in and of itself), a soccer coach, and have other family responsibilities. It's a lot and I'm sure you have felt this way as well. 

   This feeling reminds me a lot of a song from a Disney movie. The song is called "I Just Wanna Be With You" and the lyrics go like this: "We're being pulled a hundred different directions" (High School Musical 3). Have you felt like you are pulled a hundred different directions? You accomplish one task just to be given a new one. It is incredibly whelming.

   Now even though this song is a love song between a boy and a girl the next lyric can relate to us as well. The song goes like this: "We're being pulled a hundred different directions But whatever happens I know I've got you." We may be pulled a hundred different directions, but we have God. 

   Psalms 94:19 says: "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." This verse showed up on my Bible app when I was feeling quite overwhelmed. Even though we may be stressed and being pulled many directions God is with us. He never gives us more than we can handle with him. Did you catch that last part? We cannot walk though these times on our own. God walks with us, carries us, and encourages us in our times where we feel whelmed. 

   So, who are you trusting when you feel overwhelmed? How can you remember to lean on God when you feel pulled 100 different directions?

You Can't Touch This

   One of the things I do with my students is what teachers call brain breaks. Students have a tendency to have issues focusing for long periods of time. Or, they just may need to get some energy out. Thus, we will do some simple dancing for them to get their wiggles out so they can focus again. One of the songs they dance to is "You Can't Touch This." It's a clean version of the song.
   This song brought out a game the kids like to play. It's kind of like tag but the game is always going on. When someone comes up and tries to take their toy or do something mean they say "you can't touch this." It makes me laugh and think about what would happen if we would do this in real life.
   If we have a problem and it makes us stressed, sad, or frustrated we could say to those emotions "you can't touch this." Why could we say this? We can say this for a few reasons. We can say this because we have control of our emotions. We may not be able to control what happens to us but we can control how we react to the problems. We can also say that because no matter what happens to us on earth Jesus has already won.
   John 16:33 says: "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." We will have trouble on this earth. But, this earth isn't the end. No matter what happens to us Jesus is with us. Jesus died so that we could have a relationship with him. He also died so that we could be with him forever. That's amazing to think about. And, that's why, when we have problems on this earth, we can say "you can't touch this. Jesus has got my back."
   So, will you trust in God when problems arise? 

Image from here.

Are You Anxious?

How many of you have ever had a pet? I'm sure many of you have. You care for your pet and love them. You give them everything they need. Sometimes they are even spoiled. I can tell you that my dog Jak Jak is loved and probably spoiled. However, there is something that Jak Jak has that concerns me.

See, we got Jak Jak when he was 3 months old. He was the first ever puppy, not dog, in my family's household. Thus, Jak needed more attention and care. He was like a baby. He couldn't do certain things like jump on chairs that were high up. He wasn't potty trained. And he obviously couldn't get food for himself (I enjoy pretending to talk like him and I say "I don't have opposable thumbs)." So, my family and I did all these things for him. Unfortunately, Jak Jak developed such an attachment to us that when he wasn't with someone he would whine. This whining and not having someone around developed into anxiety.

Here's the thing I couldn't understand. We love Jak Jak. We give him everything he needs, plus some things he doesn't. Why did my little boy have anxiety? I didn't know and I still don't. But this situation got me thinking: why are we anxious?

We are God's children. God is a loving God. He cares for us. He gives us everything we need and some things we don't need. Yet, we still are anxious about different things. Now, you may be saying "it's different. We have many more problems than pets do. We have to provide for our families. We have to deal with annoying people at work. We have to care for the children and our parents." Yes, we do have to do all that (though I would like us to get to the point where we say we "get to" do all those things but that's a blog for another time). But, we are not required to worry about all of that. In fact, we are told not to worry about those things.

Philippians 4:6-7 says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Okay, the Bible says we are not to be anxious. Why? We are not to be anxious because we are to bring our concerns to God. What happens when we do that? If we let God handle our concerns, then we get peace. We don't get the peace where we have a spa day, a vacation day, or quiet. We get peace in our hearts to know that even in all the crazy of life, everything will be okay. Everything will be okay, why? It will be okay because God's got this. He has a plan. He cares for you. He loves us enough to be a part of our lives. He has a relationship with us, if we choose to have one with him. We just need to trust in him, instead of worrying.

So, are you worrying too much? What can you do when worries and anxieties come up? How can you do a better job of trusting God today?

Image from here.

Accused

   Have you ever been accused of wrongs you did not commit? I know I have, and I think many people have. How should we act when we are accused of things we haven't done?
   Once again God give us an answer through his example. In Mark 15 Jesus is brought before Pilate. The Sanhedrin had just told Pilate about Jesus. Pilate asked Jesus "Are you the king of the Jews?" (Mark.15.2). Jesus answers by saying "You have said so" (Mark.15.2). Jesus doesn't say "yes." He could have but he didn't. Why?
   Jesus knows that this must happen. He knows what will happen next because he is God. He does not want to go through the pain of being separated from God, but he still does it. Jesus has the whole picture. When we go through these times we wonder "why is this happening?" When God is saying "just wait till you see what I have in store for you."
   But, the accusations don't end there. In Mark 15:3-4 the chief priests accuse him of other things. Pilate asks Jesus if he wants to say anything. Jesus doesn't answer and Pilate is amazed. Jesus keeps his mouth shut even though he didn't do anything that these men were accusing him of.
   When we get in an argument or are accused of things what's one of the first things we want to do? We want to defend ourselves. Then after we defend ourselves what happens? We get into an argument and things become worse. People then become offended and relationships are ruined.
   It does us no good to try to reason with people whose minds are so clouded that they only care for their own needs. Our actions speak louder than our words. We could yell, scream, and accuse back but in the end that will make people think that those accusations are correct.
   People can taint what we own, our reputations, and even our relationship with others. But, one thing people can never taint is our relationship with God. God knows who we are. He knows our character. It may be hard to keep our mouths shut when we are being accused of wrongs but in the end we will be rewarded in heaven.
   So, how do you act when you are accused of wrongs? Are you following Christ's example? Does your good character show when no one is looking?

   Mark 15:2, Isaiah 54:17, Romans 12:19

   Image from here.

Why Do We Freak Ourselves Out?

   I am an over thinker. I have finally admitted that to myself after many years of trying to deny it. Oh, it's not always bad, sometimes I come up with great blogs or stories by over thinking. But, many times it gets me in trouble.
One day I was at work and I saw a parent of one of my students go in to talk with my boss. I automatically thought through things I may have done wrong. Then I realized I was making myself anxious, which is not good to do when you are teaching children (they tend to pick up on how you are feeling).
   That's when I chose then to ignore what I just saw. I would run myself ragged thinking about what they could be talking about when it wasn't my business in the first place. The only way it would become my business is if the parent or my boss told me. In the end my boss told me that the parent was happy with the progress his/her child made in class. It turned out to be a good thing; but it could have been very bad if I would have made myself sick by worrying about it.
   Many times we worry over things we don't need to. What will I eat? Where will I live? What job should I take? What school should I go to? We are very good at making ourselves anxious over things that God says we don't need to worry about. Matthew 6:25 says: "Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
   When I was in that situation I was worried about the status of my job. God knows my needs and will provide for them. If I would've lost my job, God would provide for my needs. He cares for everything he created. He cares for each person. He cares for me. He knows my needs and wants. He provides me with what I need so that his plan for my life will come about. I just need to surrender to his will.
   Surrendering is difficult for many of us. We want to have control over our lives. If we try to control our lives then that means we are trying to take care of ourselves. In the end our strength will fail because we cannot go through this life without leaning on God. I don't know about you but I'd rather let God handle my problems and enjoy today because I don't know if I'll get a tomorrow.
   So, do you worry too much? Will you surrender to God's will for your life? What can you do to trust God more? 

   Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:25-34

   Image from here.

So Little Time: A Mother's Day Blog

   Imagine you wake up early, get dressed, eat breakfast, spend time with God, and relax for a bit in the morning. Then, you hear a bump. You begin to get goosebumps and you cringe. It is about to begin. Here they come: the children! They come running and bumping down the stairs. There is yelling, fighting, music blaring, and much more. This is the life of a mom.

   I’m kidding, sort of. Ha, I’m not a mom but I do have one. I am also a teacher so in a way I am like a mom to my students. And, if you are a mom, your house may not look like the one I just described. It may be better, or it may be worse. I know that no matter what your home life looks like you will probably be stressed at some point. It may even seem like there just is not enough time in the day.

For those of you who are not moms or do not work with children, here is a video describing everything a mom says in a 24 hour period but in 2 minutes and 55 seconds.

   Wow, that song was impressive. But, what is more impressive is all that mothers do in a short time. Time is a valuable thing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Time has a way of changing things. Children are born, they grow, and they leave the nest. That’s just the way things tend to work. We never know how much time we will have with someone. That’s why we need to be thankful for the time we do get with them.

   Today, I encourage you to send a message to your mother thanking her for all she has done for you. Mothers I encourage you to be thankful for the time you have with your little ones. They grow up so fast.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

   We Wish You a Merry Christmas is a song about wishing others a merry Christmas, go figure. It is a song we typically hear and think of during Christmas. It is a short song and one that we may get tired of hearing by now in the season. By this time kids are hyped up, which mean you probably are dead tired because you have to keep up with them. Also, traffic is horrible. Christmas music and movies have been playing for almost 2 months and you may be saying “can this just be over?”

   This is when we need a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. Luke 2:8-14 says:

“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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

   This is the reason we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate because God sent his Son to be our savior. We can have joy through the crazy commercialized Christmas nowadays because we know that that’s not what Christmas is really about. Christmas is celebrating that God came to save us. That’s why we can still sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas with joy even though we may be tired of the Christmas crazy.

   I encourage you to remember the reason for the season; and to have an attitude of joy through the crazy.

   We Wish You a Merry Christmas by the Muppets (video here).

   Image from here.

Jingle Bells

   Jingle Bells is a song about riding in a sleigh. It sounds like a merry time. Few of us have actually taken a ride in a sleigh pulled by a horse. I know I have not. However, I have seen some movies where people do take rides in sleighs pulled by horses. Many times those people enjoy the sights. They get to slow down, see the Christmas lights, see the snow, and cozy up with a blanket.

   Jingle Bells reminds us to slow down. You may be thinking “how does a song about loud bells help us remember to be silent and have solitude? I am up to my neck in Christmas crazy right now.” That’s the point. Around this time of the season many people are fed up with Christmas. That’s why, when we start to feel overwhelmed, we need to stop. We need to slow down, take some time for ourselves, and spend time with God.

   Matthew 6:6 says: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” This verse is hard for some of us to follow. It is especially difficult when we are very busy, like around Christmas. That’s why we may need to carve out time for just relaxing. If we don’t slow down and spend time with God, then we run the risk of burnout and hurting those we love.

   So, I encourage you to spend time in silence and solitude this week. Take some time to read the Bible. You could even refresh your memory on the Christmas story. Just make sure you take time for you and God so that you can be ready to face the Christmas crazy.

   Jingle Bells by Oh My Genius (video here).

   Image from here.

Doing What You Are Called to Do: Moses Hall of Faith

   “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase” (Martin Luther King Jr.).

   When thinking about faith it is easy to think of Moses as one of the most faithful people in the Bible. He gave up the throne in Egypt to follow God and be with his people. Then he listened to a burning bush and went back to Egypt. While he was there it was far from easy for him. His own people were against him, he had to go back to Pharaoh’s court, and he was performing miracles against people which made others dislike him even more.

   When Moses first went to Pharaoh, Pharaoh made the work for the Hebrews harder. In fact, even after the plagues started the Hebrews suffered the first three plagues along with the Egyptians. Moses was probably not the most popular person on top of he probably had doubts about his ability to deliver the Hebrews. But, here’s the thing, Moses wasn’t the one delivering the Hebrews, God was. Moses was just the person God used to deliver the Hebrews. God didn’t stop there. He guided Moses’ steps toward the Promised Land.

   In our lives we may be called to do things we don’t want to do or things that may make people upset. We must remember that God has a plan through it all. Even though Moses and the Hebrews had to go through plagues and other problems God always had a plan. God will always help us through our problems, just maybe not in the way we expect.

   So, when God calls you to do something hard will you choose to do it? Will you trust God even when difficulties come your way?

   Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 1:26, Colossians 2:23-24

   Image from here.

You Gotta Slow Down: Labor Day

   Have you ever said to yourself: "I wish I had more time to relax," "I'm too busy to relax," or "I have too much work and I'm exhausted." If you are like me, you have probably said something along those lines before. I have found that as we get older we just become more and more busy. That's probably why there's so much anxiety, stress, and crankiness nowadays.
   I think that we are forgetting something that is very important, not just to our physical health, but our mental health as well. We need rest. This is not a want it is a need. In Genesis 2:2 God does something we may not expect "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work." Did you catch that? God rested after his work was complete. Does God need to rest? No, he doesn't. Why did he rest? Because, he is the ultimate example for us. He rested because we are to rest. God wants us to work and do our best. But, if we don't rest, or we don't spend time with God, we will get burned out.
   This idea reminds me of something my Aunt used to have. She had this plastic turtle with rubber legs that moved. I thought is was so cool because I didn't have a real pet at the time (bare in mind I was like 5 when I first saw it). The turtle also sang a song that went like this: "You gotta slow down, you're moving too fast. You gotta slow down, let go of the past. You're working too hard, you know it's true. You gotta slow down, and take some time for you."
   Yes, work is important. God calls us to work hard to reflect his glory. But, he also knows we need rest. If we overwork ourselves it will harm our mental and physical health. As well as, we will not do as well at our work and probably hurt others emotionally. That's why we need to listen to the turtle. We need to slow down. We need to relax. We need to spend time with God. It's a hard balance, but an important one nonetheless.
   So, are you overworking yourself? Do you spend time with God each day? What can you do to make sure you rest when you need it?

   2 Timothy 3:16 and Exodus 34:21

   Image from here.

When you are Weak you are Strong

   Strength: it's something we tend to ask for or work towards a lot. We want to be strong through every situation. We want to become physically stronger so we can beat the odds. However, is it good to always be strong?
   In times of trials we tend to do a few things: we break down when we are alone, we put on a brave face in public and say we are fine when others ask, or we tell others to the point where we complain to others. There are very few of us who actually open up to others when we are going through times of trial.
   Is that a bad thing? Is it bad to not open up to others when we are having problems? Let me tell you a quote and then you tell me: "If I don't fully share my own brokenness... there's never full communion? Maybe Communion can only happen when not only our strong parts are broken and given, but when our broken parts are also given" (Ann Voskamp, The Broken Way).
   In our times of strength we tend to tell others "it's all good." But when we are having problems we close off to others. That quote tells us that in order to have true friendship and a lasting impact on others we need to share our brokenness as well.
If people think we are strong all the time they are going to think something is wrong with them when they are going through problems. And, they may not be willing to share with you when they are going through a problem. It is only through sharing our weakness that we gain full fellowship, friendship, and communion with others. When you share your trials you are also sharing the story of God's glory and grace through you.
   Now listen, I'm not saying you should complain to everyone about your problems. What I am saying is that we should share with others so that we can walk with them, help them through their hard times, and show them what God can do through us.
   So, will you pretend to be strong even when you are not? Will you share your brokenness with others in order to be in communion with them? Will you reflect God's glory?
   2 Corinthians 12:9

The Spotlight of Recognition

   Have you ever done something really well? We are talking you poured your heart and soul into this thing. You spent time, sweat, tears, and money on this thing. You would think that you would get some recognition for all that you did, right? No, instead the person who is in charge of whatever you were doing gets the recognition. Or, people don't know you were involved. Or, worse yet, people knew you were involved but you never get thanked!
   What are we to do when we don't get thanked for what we do? Some people may say we should throw a fit, not help again, or leave whatever we were helping with.
   Let me tell you a story that may help you decide what we should do. Once there was a beautiful lighthouse. It was strong, served its purpose, and people said it was the most beautiful lighthouse they had ever seen. One day the light at the top of the lighthouse looked out at all it could see and said, "This is an amazing view." The brick at the bottom of the lighthouse said, "may I take a look?" The light said, "no you must stay in your place otherwise how will others be able to see my light shining in the darkness."
   Later on, in the night, the light shone brightly. The light said, "it is a good thing I am so bright otherwise the ships would crash on the rocks." The brick at the bottom replied, "may I see the ships?" The light laughed, “no you must stay in your place otherwise how will others be able to see my light shining in the darkness."
   The brick on the bottom sighed angrily, "I am tired of staying in my place while you get all of the glory." With those words the brick pulled himself from the lighthouse and went away. The light glanced down and thought, "only one brick is gone I shall still be the most beautiful lighthouse." Then the light felt shaking beneath her. She looked down and saw other bricks had begun to leave. Suddenly, the lighthouse tower began to crack and the light fell to the ground.
   When the dust settled the light realized that she was broken too. No longer was she beautiful and revered but instead she was a pile of rubble. Suddenly, the light heard a noise of a ship's horn. She realized that she could no longer guide those ships away from the sharp rocks that would destroy them. What would happen now that the lighthouse was destroyed?
   So, what is the meaning behind this story? Will you realize that it is vital to appreciate those under your charge? How can you lift up your boss? Will you choose to do your job in order to help others, no matter the personal cost to you?

   Colossians 3:23, Acts 20:35, Matthew 25:21

   Image from here.