When Your Mistake Costs Much

So I was watching football after church today because duh...isn't that what everyone does during the most amazing season of the year? Anyways, while waiting for my Packers game I had the Eagles vs. the Lions game on. The Eagles were undefeated and on their way to yet another win when all of a sudden the Eagles running back fumbled the ball and the Lions recovered it. The cameraman continued to flash over to the running back whose error cost the Eagles their first loss 23-24. 

The running back was sitting alone and visibly upset at the magnitude of his error. Again and again, the camera went back to focus on him. I felt so bad for the guy, he was so distraught over his fumble. Finally he put on his helmet with a dark visor attached to keep the camera off him. 

This visual reminded me how we often react to our life mistakes. We sit alone too long, mulling over again and again, mentally beating ourselves up. 

Today I'm thankful for the knowledge that while I'm not perfect and mess up often, I don't have to carry the weight on my shoulders, hiding behind a dark mask of shame and guilt. I'm thankful for a relationship with JESUS CHRIST that allows me to be forgiven, forgive myself, as well as others. 

Friends, if you've been carrying a burden for too long, it's time to let it go. Don't sit alone and hide. GOD's got big plans for you and it doesn't include moping around and looking behind. The past is past. Ask The LORD for forgiveness; lay it down and don't pick it back up. Keep your eyes on JESUS, ask HIM to take away your sins, forgive you, and come into your heart and life, making all things new. HE already paid the price, accept HIS forgiveness, the free gift HE gave to you upon the cross, rising on the 3rd day to newness of life. You've been called for more. Let the Light of CHRIST shine into the darkness. Let it go!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."~2 Corinthians 5:17

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

Do You Fall Prey To Crashing Emotions?

It was hard to swallow. Something wasn't right. I felt achy, tired and couldn't breathe. I knew my body was trying to fight off an impending attack. I began to load up on extra vitamins...trying to offer a counterattack to boost the unseen battle raging within. 

But what of the unseen daily battles of emotional attacks? Worry. Fear. Stress. Anxiety. Doubt. Depression. Pain. 

Why am I slow in defending against these often debilitating emotions?

I know immediately when I get that sinking feeling...when something's just not right. Why do I not run as quickly to what I know will offer a counterattack? I know what's lacking. 

Life has a way of throwing unexpected trials at me. Too often I let the emotions fester. They begin to overtake and the issue/problem becomes larger than I can bear. I fall prey to my crashing emotions.

The cure is swifter than any vitamins I may take for a physical illness. The affect of The LORD'S truth over my emotions is miraculous; all encompassing, unending in it's healing power.

So why do I wait to call to Him?

To Pray?

To read the Bible?

Why do I choose to sit alone and wallow in it?

Lord, today please help me to look to YOU First; spending time alone in YOUR Presence as YOU reveal truth to my soul...my heart...my emotions. Draw me close to YOU as YOU guide my way. Let my heart be filled with the knowledge of YOUR Truth & Light. Do not let me sit in the lies of crashing emotions. "YOUR rod and YOUR staff they comfort me." I say these things, in the name of my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, Amen. 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4

"For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.” 
Jeremiah 31:25

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
Jeremiah 32:27

"Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth."
Jeremiah 33:6

Can You Do More?

With the recent passing of a girl that had come into my life for a short period of time, I found myself asking, "Can I do more?" By worldly standards she had everything, she was beautiful, perfect figure, large gorgeous home in Huntington Beach, CA, a loving husband and children. Not to mention she was a stay at home mom, enabling her to be with her kids and spend time doing the things she loved like volunteering her time and walking along the beach.

I'll admit, when I first met her I was a bit envious. She had it "ALL," along with an incredible, outgoing personality and infectious smile that immediately drew me in. But now, in hindsight, "Did she really have it all?

On a seemingly normal day...beautiful, vibrant, full of life, Annette passed away unexpectadly. No one could have foreseen it. It was a terrible tragedy. A life stopped short at the age of 40. Now I ask myself, "Could I have done more?" My answer...a resounding, "YES!" You see, I don't know if she knew Jesus Christ. I'm not sure because I didn't take the time to talk to her more. I didn't take the time to pray for her to allow Christ to fill her with His peace, comfort and love. I was too wrapped up in my everyday life to even think about it. In my quiet time with the Lord each morning I need to remember to make time for the people the Lord's put into my life. He's placed them there for a reason...it's ALWAYS about the people. We all need to remember that we, who have the love of Jesus Christ in us, have the most valuable treasure that can ever be shared with someone. The gift of eternal life with Him. As I reflect on all Annette had, I don't know if she was missing the greatest treasure of all, a Savior, Jesus Christ. 

So today and everyday henceforth, I'm determined to pray for those who cross my path and those who are in my life, to find Jesus Christ. I will show unconditional love to all I come into contact with allowing the Lord to work in me and through me. I want people to see and know the life restoring gift that can be theirs. I'm not talking about being annoying, judgmental or pushy, but through love and prayer. Allowing them to see Christ's nature in me and then praying for the Lord to open the doors to share what He's done in my life; how He restored a lost, broken, hurt, beaten down, hopeless woman who needed His forgiveness and love.

Can I pray for the people in my life who are struggling, hurting, filled with anxiety and no hope? Can I pray for those who have hurt or disappointed me? Can I pray for those who seem to have the perfect life but may be missing the key ingredient to make them complete? Each and everyone of us need to step it up this New Year. You have a chance to fulfill the Lord's purpose for you. Don't waste another moment...no one is promised tomorrow. Remember...IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE PEOPLE! Go share the treasure of Jesus Christ through prayer and unconditional love today!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:12

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:14-15