Lift Jesus Up!

I was thinking this morning about how I desire to draw people toward the Lord in my writings and songs. Then I thought about John 12:32: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." I have to be careful about my focus. My job isn't to push people toward the Saviour, but to lift up the name of Jesus. HE will draw all men unto Himself. We have to lift up Jesus so they can see Him. Why? HE is the hope of the world. He is their HOPE! Jesus is STILL the answer and the only way to forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. That's HUGE! It's worth it, worth our time, worth our money, worth our sacrifice, worth our wounded pride. People NEED the Lord, people need the LORD, so if you love people, lift Jesus higher.

Loved by God

In church tonight my pastor mentioned something about God loving us. It perked me up because I started a Loved by God Facebook page because in my trials I didn't always feel like God cared about me. The reason my pastor gave that people often feel like that was because they wonder why God would allow them to go through the trial if He loved them. That never crossed my mind, because I do realize that the question isn't "why me?" but "why not me?" We are all deserving of troubles, and it's because of the grace of God on our lives that we don't collapse under all the troubles and trials in this life. What haunted me was the thought that God cared more about the well being of everyone else except me, that I was expected to serve and serve and yet if I was hurting, I needed to pull myself up by my boot straps so I can keep serving and helping others. But that is such a lie. Of course God cares about and loves me, and He has not asked me to do more than I can do through Him. I often sacrifice more than I was called to do. I put unnecessary burdens on myself. I need to take care of myself so I can help others. Helping others makes me very happy, but does not come above keeping myself healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. It's kind of like when you get on a plane, they tell you to take the oxygen mask first before trying to help others. If you're hypoxic, you won't be much help. I love what I do, I love the Lord, and I love it that He truly does love me, no matter which side of the problem I stand on (helping or needing help). And when we go through the trials of life, we become like pure gold, more beautiful than ever, purified, matured, confident. Isn't that a great place to be? That deserves our thankfulness for our trials, not our complaints.

Summertime coupon - 15% off all my products!

This isn't really a secret - spread the word! Summer sale on all my items, including my new release (cheaper than amazon.com)! http://shoutout.wix.com/so/0lr35f6e#/main

Happy Eyes

Don't you just love the look on a child's face when he or she opens a gift, and it is a wonderful surprise? The anticipation was building as the child looked at a colorful, maybe even shiny or sparkly box that was meant just for him or her. Ideas may race through the mind as to what it could be. The gift may be sized up, picked up to determine the weight of it, or shaken, but when there is no idea what it could be, the gift is opened and the facial expression usually reveals what is going on inside the heart and mind of the recipient. Eyes either look down in disappointment (but hopefully thankfulness!) or widen with happiness if the prize inside is something that is truly desired, even if it wasn't on the birthday or Christmas list.

Gifts can come in packages that are not entirely physical. It could be a compliment, a kind deed, transportation, doing some research for someone, stepping in when staffing is short, or even a spiritual blessing such as wisdom, peace, joy, love, even salvation that God alone can give.

I was reading 1 Corinthians 2, and came across this wonderful verse: "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor. 2:9). We can get all excited and start envisioning sports cars, mansions, large fertile land masses, boats, etc. Our eyes widen like the "happy eyes" I described earlier.

But is God talking about physical lusts? Vs. 10-12 state, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

As I read that in context, I realized that the spiritual wealth revealed by the Spirit of God through His Word and the abundant life that is a result is what is greater than man can imagine! The things of this earth are temporal, but the things of God are eternal, and are the things that really count in life.

Have you opened your spiritual gifts found in God's Word? Why not dig in today, and see if your happy eyes engage as you learn and grow and enjoy the wonderful things God has in store for you! It might even include applying those riches you have found in the Bible as you venture out in new jobs, new callings, new relationships, or just new perspectives in the same setting you are in now. Where does it all start? In loving God.

The Sonic Adventure Gang: Book 2 is now available in hard copy!

Click on the link for the hard copy of The Sonic Adventure Gang, Book 2: The Puzzled, Muzzled Lions. 

Join the Sonic Adventure Gang for another exciting adventure! As book two in the series, the gang is now enjoying the festivities of Autumn. They go on an adventure in the super sonic time machine that, as usual, sends them to somewhere they didn't intend to go! Armed this time with super powers, the gang learns to work together to protect each other, solve problems, and find their way back home.

The Sonic Adventure Gang book 2 at amazon.com

BEST Presidential Speech in 25 years!

This is an amazing speech by our U.S. President! I was in awe listening to this, could hardly believe my ears and eyes! I was clapping my hands and giving a standing ovation in my living room over some of his statements. Praise the Lord! This is TOTALLY worth your time to watch - see it to the end. God bless America! God bless this man as he acknowledges God our Creator, our religious freedoms, our unalienable rights, our freedom of speech, and respects and honors our veterans.

Presidential Speech 7/1/17 at the Kennedy Center

Happy 4th of July!

Here is a message for teens and adults alike. I heard this on the radio today and loved it: "Everyone looks for a flag to follow, a creed to believe in, and a cause to die for." Who are you following, what do you believe in, and what cause are you willing to die for? Many died for our nation to give us independence. Jesus died to free our souls from sin, death, and hell. The nation I believe in was built upon the Word of God and those principles that give life and liberty to all who believe. Happy 4th of July, and let's rejoice for what we stand for, and never take it for granted.