Crazy People

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...Genesis 28:15a 

The Bible is full of crazy people according to the worlds standards. To name just a few, let's look at Noah who was building an ark to prepare for a flood in an area of the world that had never seen rain. Joseph who took care of his family in spite of being sold into slavery by them when he was young. Moses who gave up all the comforts of Egypt to lead the Israeli nation into the wilderness for 40 years. There are so many stories in the Bible about people who looked like losers but died winners.

God has created us to be winners not losers. The one thing all of these "crazy" people have in common is that their natural ability played a minor role in their success, instead it took courage & faith. These individuals had supernatural success. When God is with us, we cannot fail. It does not matter who we are, what we have gone through, or what others think of us; what matters is that God is with us, in us and for us.

Kay Warren writes in her book, Choose Joy: At Saddleback Church, sometimes we repeat this sentence together as a congregation: "I'm broken, but I'm not crazy." You can sense the release  and relief that washes over those gathered as we affirm this truth to one another.  

 A picture I took of one of my grandkids, December 2013.

Be Considerate Of Others

“Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourself.”  Phil. 2:3b

Can you imagine what kind of world this would be if people would treat others better than they would treat themselves? It would change all relationships within our community, the church and our nation.

Instead we disrespect, mock and treat each other as if we do not value each other. When I hear someone make fun of another person (especially if it is towards one of my kids) my heart grieves. I have made it clear that I HATE sarcasm and the excuse I get from people is.....oh, it's just their way of joking, it doesn't mean anything or my favorite reply, "don't be so sensitive." My answer is, what gives you the right to treat me or someone else with such lack of respect? It's no one's right to criticize or humiliate another person for a laugh!

 This is a picture I took of the water from our backyard fountain.

Joy Killer or Builder

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 

Each day we have the opportunity to either be a "Joy" killer or builder to those around us. For some of us it will depend on our personalities and for others it will depend upon the circumstances. Romans 8:28 tells us that everything will work out for the good if we give it (the problem) and us (doing His will). 

Joy can be killed in us and in others around us by negativity, criticism and bad behavior. Joy can be built in us and in others around us by being positive, building each other up and trusting God in all our circumstances.

The scriptures are full of God's promises that no matter what is said to us or no matter what the circumstances that He (God) is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think within us according to Ephesians 3:20.

Joy comes when I let go of control for my life and give God the control. 

My prayer: Lord, please forgive me for killing any "JOY" in myself or those around me with my attitude or words and please help me to always be a "JOY" builder instead. 

This picture was taken by our office.