Continued from Last week…Part Two With one side of the house beautifully painted, my son lowered the genie lift to just above the deck floor so we could reload the paint gun. I lifted the safety latch and swung my left foot out over the edge of the safety cage, grabbed the upper bar, and shifted my weight. Pride congratulated MY success. Not paying attention, my right foot caught at the edge throwing me off balance and tossing my... Read more
Shepherd’s Rod- part one A shepherd carries a rod when he shepherds his sheep. The rod is used to aid in walking the terrain, strike a predator in pursuit of his flock, or it can be used in the discipline of wandering sheep. If a lamb is consistently strong-willed and leaving the herd places her in constant danger, the shepherd occasionally uses the rod to strike the leg of the sheep to crack the bone. The shepherd would then tend... Read more
Whose Perspective Are You Taking Anyway? In today’s fast-moving pace, we cannot afford to be narrow-minded. Keeping an open mind and trying to understand our circumstances from every perspective is not only a benefit to us, but to everyone we encounter. But how is this possible? We can reshape our interactions with one another by putting into practice a conscious attempt to understand another’s point of view and build new neural pathways to create new ways of learning and... Read more
Swallowing Boulders Ever had an experience where you were given a boulder and asked to just, “swallow” it? Often, I see things happen that just don’t sit well with me and often I have to just swallow, take a deep breath and keep my eyes on Jesus because it doesn’t matter in the least what I do – it is what it is and I can do nothing to change it. I think life is presented to us in this... Read more
The Next Right Thing If Fear, Doubt, and Pride are my biggest enemies, why do I keep them so close to my side? If they are nothing but liars, why do I listen to them? Why do I feel comfortable with these three conniving manipulators at the banqueting table? How could I possibly enjoy my meal knowing that in just a few moments, Anger, Resentment, and Turmoil would be joining us? If this is my choice to not allow them... Read more
Frustration visits often. I have come to understand the feeling of his presence before I actually recognize that he’s arrived. I often find myself behind a D6 bulldozer traveling only 20 MPH when the speed limit sign we’ve passed several times now says, “No limits.” There is quite a line behind us and that is when Frustration runs alongside my car and asks if he can join me. Frustration Rides Shotgun I’m reluctant at first because I don’t want... Read more
Fear runs rampant in all our lives, whether we like it or not. It’s Satan’s best strategy in distracting us from focusing on God’s plan for our lives. Fear makes his rounds. He grips us with irrational phobias so that we focus on them and not on God. He is so good at his job that he convinces us we have no control. We experience anxiety, panic, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. We choose to avoid this terrifying threat... Read more
If you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to experience God moments. I mean, He is ALWAYS with us. But what I am talking about is really knowing that He is with you right now in this moment orchestrating this event. I can’t imagine the excitement on God’s face when He sees that His children see it’s Him! I get goosebumps just thinking about it! I love God! I love being in His presence! I love experiencing His God moments!... Read more
The Battle Within I am standing at the edge of Condemnation’s precipice with no place to run or hide. Disappointment, Dread, Disgust, and Dishonor surround me. They circle me like hungry lions waiting to devour their prey. I’m vulnerable and weak with only Self Loathing and Unworthy by my side offering no comfort. I can see Devastation and Overwhelm approaching with their poison arrows of doubt and destruction and I sink to my knees in surrender at each arrow’s penetration.... Read more
Remembering my time spent as the Ambassador of Joy for the Wildflower in Pagosa Springs, Colorado 15 years ago is one of my favorite memories. It is a job I will never forget. I was allowed creative freedom and I blossomed. Pun intended, LOL! It was a special business where God showed up, His sweet fragrance was the air we breathed, and everyone, from employees to customers, was blessed beyond imagination. Creative at Heart If you’re a creative like me,... Read more
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