Satan's Snares

This post is for those out there that are angry, frustrated, scared, tired, irritable, and just down right fed up with everything. I hear you and feel your pain.

I was talking to a friend who summed up how I was feeling, but was talking about herself and I realized -- WOW! I am not the only one! She mentioned how by the time she got everyone up, dressed, fed, the chores done, and got to church on time on Sunday morning that she felt like she needed to be walking in on her knees - praying for forgiveness. That was me in a nutshell.

My life is chaotic and stressful everyday like that not just on Sundays though. I know there are those super efficient, organized folks out there saying that I need to prepare better and not take on so much. But I have a news flash for them, it just doesn't always work that way.

I have situations in my life (crosses to bear, so to speak) that you can't just toss aside like worn out shoes. You can substitute your own crosses here, but these are a few of mine for example.

• An elder parent to care for with doctor appointments, illnesses to nurse, feelings to consider, and affairs to keep in order
• A teenage child to provide for (solely) with doctor appointments, illnesses to nurse, hormones to weather, education to manage, friends to monitor, an un-supportive un-helpful other parent to make up for, and a future to help plan
• A home that is constantly needing repairs (leaking pipes, stopped up toilets, etc.)
• A laundry pile that seems to multiple every night
• A multitude of pets that have been rescued from abandonment to crippling vehicle accidents
• An aging vehicle that needs replaced, but who has time to car shop
• Shopping with a salary that has not been increasing at the same rate as the prices at the gas pumps and grocery stores
• Working with cranky, irritable people who are dealing with as much stress (sometimes more) than you are and many who do not know Jesus

I have to curtail the list because it is truly endless, but you get the point. These are things that can't be organized into tidy little cubicles or pared out of our lives.

This is all part of God's plan! He is using us to make a difference in some else's life or to care for his creations or helping us to grow beyond what we thought that we could. He isn't looking for perfect people. He is looking for the lost. And personally, I am very grateful.

I pray God has a place and a use for each of you. Remember to count those blessings, too.

God's Promise

I, for one, am thankful for God's promise to not destroy the earth with water again. Here in the midwest we have had upwards of 10-11 inches of rainfall in the last day or two. I can not imagine what 40 days of water would look like and I know that I don't want to see it.

Please, remember us in your prayers. There are many people who are likely to have lost all they had when these flood waters recede (which isn't expected for several days). Some have even lost their lives already.

God knows us by our prayers and is moved by our prayers and supplications. Please, lift up yourself, your loved ones, your lost ones, and even those you don't personally know, but see that are in need. Jesus is alive and that tomb is empty! Call on Him that is greater than any of us in faith believing.

I pray that you are all warm and safe and dry and that God is holding your hand.

Fellowship

We are called by the Bible to enjoy fellowship with our brothers and sisters. This isn't empty, pointless directive. Like all God's instructions, there is purpose behind His words.

Fellowship with other Christians gives us positive reinforcement. We can lift one another up. We can discuss difficult issues. We can seek or give advice. We can laugh or cry together. We can share God's love with one another.

Enjoy your relationships with other Christians as God has ordained. Loving and caring for one another makes us all stronger!

Love and peace to you!

Troublesome Times ...

We sing a song at church that speaks about troublesome times being here. The song goes on to call Christians to awake. I think this song is so appropriate into today's world.

Christians need to wake up and see what is really going on around them. We have been lulled into a false sense of peace and safety. Everybody has there own agenda and is pushing their ideas on us and our children, but we are afraid to stand up for our rights and beliefs.

So many times we hear that one person can't change things. WRONG! Jesus was just one! And one by one we build and make the body of Christ (the church) when we follow his examples.

Don't be afraid to stand on the Bible. It has stood the test of time and God's word is alive today. If we don't know what we believe and stand up for it, we will be blown about by any wind of doctrine. Please, take time to read your Bible and apply it to your life. Let God's light reflect into the world around you.

Have a blessed day and remember God loves you!