IT LEAKED OVER EVERYTHING!

I changed plans, instead of a nice day relaxing on the beach after yoga, I decided to take a walk deep into the wetlands. I stopped and picked up my favorite tri-tip/veggie bowl, threw it in my bag and headed off down the trail. I walked for quite a while before stopping at a quiet location with benches. It was time to sit and eat, bird watch and write. As I pulled my bowl out, I realized the delicious teriyaki juices had seeped out, right through the paper bag and into my backpack. It poured all over my Bible and writing tablet...soaking in from the cover to the pages.

Absorbing in.
The good stuff.
The flavor.
The very thing that makes it good.

I was struck by the comparisons to my life's journey. As I made a choice to turn from my old empty life and walk toward Jesus, as I made a commitment to read The Bible at least 10 minutes every morning, to pray daily, changes began. Small at first. My attitude...I wasn't always expecting the worst in my day. I felt hopeful...the good words of God seeping in. Trials would come, but they were no longer my undoing. Day by day, 10 minutes stretched into 15, 20, 30 minutes; the sweetness, the craving for more truth, absorbing into the deep recesses of my emptiness. My words, my actions, my desires...they all began to change.

How can it be that simple? 

Reading and praying, "Yes JESUS, have YOUR WAY in my life!" The truth. The good stuff of Christ being absorbed. 

Just like my leaking teriyaki sauce, that covered everything in my backpack, Jesus' truth, words, forgiveness, grace, love, and light will sink deep into your heart when you open The Bible. Pray. Ask Jesus into your life. He comes like a flood...a wave of rushing water to the dry, parched soul.

If you are at a crossroads, stop and ask Jesus which way to go. He is, He has, the answer you've been looking for. He will pour out His love. ASK HIM! 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."~John 14:6

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”~Mark 9:28-29

"Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you: I will make my words known to you."~Proverbs 1:23

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams."~Acts 2:17

THAT THING!

He asked for "that thing." Afraid to say it...words that let go. The words that dare to speak trust. He's afraid of many things. Trust will not come easy for this young life. And yet…he asks. 

PRAYER. "That thing" that makes trust, hope and faith possible. The letting go and letting God take over. Releasing much sought after control. A new found freedom that is felt only in the letting go! 

Prayer, a call to our Creator for help, thanks, praise. Steps of growth. Walking toward the outstretched hand of our Lord…one step at  time. 

Prayer, a love cry in time of need.

Prayer, water to a parched soul.

Prayer, a thankful talk with your Heavenly Father who always listens.

"That thing," PRAYER!

"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippans 4:6

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" Matthew 7:7

"Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him." Psalm 33:8

EXERCISE WHAT?

Story by Lisa Petrarca

I’ve been planning on starting an exercise routine for the past year… well truthfully, the past three years. I complain about the way my body looks, I’m sore, achy and flabby. It’s always “Next week I’ll start for sure.” Next week comes and it gets pushed back another week. I’m too tired, busy, lazy…whatever the reason, I always find an excuse. It’s not easy to start, but no one can deny the difference in the way you look and feel once you do.

Our minds also need exercise. They get filled with all sorts of “junk”. Our thoughts can be compared to the food that we put in our body. Constantly putting bad thoughts…(you’re not smart, you always mess up, what’s the matter with me, you will never be able to quit that habit, everyone would just be better off without me, your an addict you'll never change, I’m so ugly, I’m too fat) the list is endless.

The “food” that is supposed to be nourishing our minds, is actually doing the opposite. We fill our head with so many negative thoughts there isn’t room for the positive things. Our heads become “overweight”…they need exercise. We need to trim down our bad thoughts. The exercise that’s needed starts with making time FIRST thing in the morning to feed it with positive, uplifting things. Make an appointment, add it to your day planner, outlook calendar, whatever you need to do to start your MIND EXERCISE ROUTINE.

Have the Bible set next to your bed. Before you get out of bed, reach over and start reading. When you’re done, pray to the Lord to fill you with His love, patience and peace for the day. Pray for strength to do it again tomorrow.

Like exercising this will eventually become easier the longer you do it. Before you know it your mind is being filled with healthy, nourishing food. You’re no longer focusing on your shortcomings, problems, insecurities, hang ups and addictions. Your mind is finally in shape and you are able to reach your true potential. The Lord has called you for something better. START YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE TODAY!

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12