Power surge!

Yesterday, while I was teaching my Sunday School class, the lights went out. I went out in the hall and it appeared my classroom lights were the only ones affected. Apparently there was a power failure with the breaker.

It is amazing to me the power that comes from that master switch or breaker box. It has the power to either give us light or when turned the wrong way, it can bring nothing but darkness.

Isn't that the same thing that happens to us? Except for us, the breaker box or the master switch is our tongue!

There is so much power in the tongue. It can either build up, encourage or it can tear down and destroy. It brings light or it brings darkness. With just a flip of the switch, power surges through our tongue.

MATTHEW 12:34 "Whatever is in your heart determines what you say."

When we go to God daily for His strength and wisdom, His power will be seen. Not only that, His power will be heard in the things that we say. What kind of power is surging thru your heart and tongue today?  Power of light or is it a power of darkness?

May we never lose sight of where our power comes from and what a difference the power of Jesus Christ can make, not just in our lives, but others.

THANKFUL THURSDAY...wisdom in our talk and walk

It amazes me how the enemy tries to turn everything into something ugly. He has to have his foothold in everything we do. As a mother of a teen and a pastors wife that works with teenagers, I see this more and more in the generation that is coming up. Today's generation is a technology generation. Everything they do is techno based. Facebook, texting, twitter. Communication for them is not face to face, it is at the tip of a finger.

The problem with this trend is there is no longer a need to communicate face to face. It becomes so easy to portray yourself as something that you are not. It is also easy to not be truthful or say things to people and about people that may or may not be true. With no accountability and no responsibility attached.

The enemy loves this. It is his desire to steal, kill and destroy and he is doing just that with our Internet access. A site that is popular with the teens is a site called TOPIX, this is a open forum that anybody can start a conversation going about anything or anybody! Most of what is put on this site is slanderous talk. Kids can say anything about anyone, anonymously. Most of it is trash talk and rumours. It is filled with filth, bad language and lies. Doesn't that sound like something the devil would have his hand in?

PROVERBS 10:18 "Whoever spreads slander is a fool."

Telling lies and spreading slander is not just things we say out loud, in today's technology world, it is also what we type on the Internet. Whether it be on our facebook or in email or on our blog sites, telling the truth and spreading His Truth should be what drives us all as Christians.

Today on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am so grateful for the passion of some great writers that I have come in contact with here on the web that are sharing God's Word and Truth each and every day! The enemy wants to take full control of the Internet but God has a different plan. He plans to use what is meant for evil and turn it around for good. And we see that each and every week right here at TT! Praise God for His wisdom that He gives, may it be evident not only in our walk but in our talk as well!

Lynn is our host this week, CLICK HERE to share your TT post with us! God Bless.

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...time is ticking away

I wonder how many you are like me when it comes to time management. Truth of it is, most of my clocks are set at least 5 minutes ahead, just to insure I will be on time. The problem with that is, it sometimes backfires on me, because I tell myself, "I still have five more minutes!"

Time management is nothing more than moving hurriedly through my hectic day, marking off the things that I accomplish for the day. Usually there are one or two items on my "to do" list that just didn't get "gotten to!" Many times at the end of the day, I fall into bed, looking at the crumpled up piece of paper, thinking to myself, "Well done you busy bee! Look at all that you got accomplished today!"

Getting things done is a huge accomplishment.
 A feeling of gratification. A load that is lifted. But what about those items that did not get crossed off of the "to do" list? Did I run out of time, or was it just not important enough to prioritize? I think sometimes we get off track with what the important things are.

Let's look at a routine "to do" list of mine:

1. pay the utility bill
2. pick up the dry cleaning
3. buy stamps at the post office
4. call to make a dental appointment
5. call my friend who is going thru a hard time
6. catch up on my daily bible reading
7. bake cookies for school

I am like most of you, I tackle the easiest and least time needed task first. Therefore, I would start at the top of the list and make all of the stops around town that I needed to make. Pay bills, go to the post office, pick up dry cleaning, etc. When it comes to calling a friend or reading the Bible, well I probably would skip over those for now because later I would probably have more time to dedicate to those things.

Here lies the problem, those things that I put off to "later", usually are the very things that are the most important and the very things that go undone by the end of the day. Because you and I both know that "later" comes with a whole lot of disruptions and unplanned circumstances, like a child coming home from school sick, the dog gets run over by a car, the husband calls and says "I forgot about the business dinner tonight that you and I are suppose to be at...its really important! Can you get a sitter and be ready at 5:00 pm?" So much for time management and forget the "to do" list now!!

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "What is the hardest thing to find time to do?" The top 3 responses were...

1. 50% said it is hard to find time to enjoy a hobby.
2. 33% voted and said it is hard to find time to read the Bible.
3. Another 33% responded and said finding time to exercise is hard.

Here's the thing about time. Each of us get the same 24 hours. No more. No less. Each hour is divided into 60 minutes or 3600 seconds. The only difference in the time allotted us is what we do with our 24 hours. Someone may get more use out of their daily allotted time, but they do not get any more time than anyone else. The key to time management is mastering our time.

As a Christian, time management is all about listening and following God's plan. As we do this, we not only master our time, but we will master our life and not let life master us.

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - Apostle Paul (Ephesians 5:15,16)

I wonder what kind of accomplishments I could have if I sought out after what God would have me do with my daily time? Certainly the bills need to be paid, but what about that friend on our list that we need to call? I know that my husband needs me, but how much better can I respond to him if I have spent time in God's Word?

Even as I write this, time is ticking away, may today belong to God and may He give me the strength and the insight to accomplish all that He has for me to do today. Tomorrow may not come, if today is all I have, may I use the time He has given me wisely!

Tick, tock...tick, tock, how will you spend your time today?

A PIECE OF MY HEART...the joy of the Lord

One of the things that I LOVE about my teenage daughter, is her laugh. She has one of those sincere, deep from the soul, contagious laughs. It does not matter what kind of mood I am in, sad or mad, upon hearing her laughter, my mood immediately changes.

(My daughter in law, myself and my daughter having one of those happy moments!)



Just being in the presence of such joy and laughter can alter any one's mood. The same is true when I think about being in the presence of the Lord. No matter what I may be going thru ...joy, sadness, disappointment, frustration or anger ... the joy of the Lord changes my mood.

Nehemiah 8:10 "The joy of the Lord is my strength."

His joy is contagious ... why not share it with someone today!

Staying on His path!

Last weekend my husband took me on a surprise date. He wouldn't tell me where he was taking me, he only told me to wear comfortable shoes. I am glad that I did. We stopped off at a state park and walked on a trail. It was a beautiful day and the exercise and the time alone with my husband was great.

I noticed as we were walking on the trail though, that at random times, the trail would twist and turn. Instead of walking straight, we would have to move along the curves and bends of the walkway.

Life is like this. Randomly, our path takes twists and turns and often times it is difficult to stay on the path that God is leading us on. But God will never lead us wrong, His way is always the right way. Let's stay on His path!

THANKFUL THURSDAY...How much does it cost?

How much would you be willing to pay for a new car? If the price it too high, most of us would not be willing to pay it.
I could say the same thing about the decision many of us have been faced to make about following Christ or not. Every Sunday, churches are filled with people who have made the decision to follow Jesus. They were willing to pay the price, no matter what it cost, to give up their fleshly ideals and do all they could for the sake of Christ. While churches are filled with these kind of people on Sundays, so are many golf courses, bedrooms and living rooms. People who were NOT willing to pay the price, people who said "it will cost me too much!"

If we are going to follow Christ, we must be prepared to pay the cost.

LUKE 14:25 "Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, If you want to be My follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple. And you cannot be My disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me."

There is a cost to be a disciple. What that cost is varies from person to person. Some Christians are called upon to make great sacrifices, such as giving their lives, literally. While others will be asked give of their time, their talents and even their treasures. Only God knows what He will ask of each of us, but the important questions is, "Are you willing to pay the price, no matter what the cost is?"

I'm thankful today that Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate cost. Imagine what it would be like for us today if He would have said, "No, I can't pay that - its too much!" Jesus said it was worth it all and He promises us that it will be worth it all in the end for us as well!

What are you thankful for today? Join your grateful heart with ours as we celebrate THANKFUL THURSDAY. Lynn is our gracious hostess this month, link up with us over HERE!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...canvas, color and the cross

I have always been amazed at how some women can create beautiful needlework. This is not an art that I have mastered. To take thread and canvas and create something so beautiful and magnificent is truly amazing. With each stitch, a heart connection seems to be made with the canvas. The artists personality seems to become intertwined with the masterpiece they are creating.

Building strong relationships with others is much like creating a masterpiece on canvas. The success of our relationships is determined upon our attitude and our skill in dealing with others. Building strong relationships built on God's principles is something that we can all learn to do, He has given each of us the creative tools to use, but its up to us whether or not we pick up the canvas and create something beautiful out of it.

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "Who do you have the strongest relationship with?" The top answers were:

1. 55% of those voting said that they have the strongest relationship with their spouse.

2. A 4-way tie came in with 11% responding that they are closest to their kids, their friends, their mother and God.

I have to admit, I was taken back alittle bit by the poll. Our relationship with God is equal to or less than what it is with others? This could be the reason our tapestry of relationships is less than what it could be. God is the ultimate relationship for us to have, it is by His design and His pattern that we must build all other relationships on.

God chose us.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

He is the great initiator of relationship. There is nothing more significant in all of history than the cross and resurrection. It was God's gift to us of life, of worth, of blessing and of hope.

It's not a relationship though if all God does is offer it, and we never receive it. What good would it do if an artist created something beautiful on the canvas and just kept it to themselves? The beauty of it is intended to be shared by others.

God has created beauty and He wants to share it with us. It is a gift that keeps giving and giving, once we receive His masterpiece of love, we can extend it to others. This is the foundation of all relationships.

Have you received your artwork yet?

A PIECE OF MY HEART...How far would you go?

How far would you go to bring a friend to Jesus?

It's easy to say that we would do anything, but would we? I was reading in the book of Mark the amazing story of how Jesus healed a paralyzed man. Not only is this a great story of the man's healing, but it is a great example of just how far a friend will go for another friend to get to Jesus.

"Several days later Jesus returned to Capernum, and the news of His arrival spread quickly through the town. Soon the house where He was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door. And He preached the Word to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Read the story in Mark 2:1-12)

The poor man obviously needed healing and could not get to Jesus himself, so his friends did for him what he could not do for himself. They went to the extreme, instead of giving up when they saw the crowd, they removed part of the roof to get their friend to Jesus.

Isn't this the perfect picture of what salvation is?

All of us are spiritual cripples, unable to help ourselves. At one time or another, we all need a friend to come alongside us and share the love and hope of Christ with us. Sometimes it seems impossible to get past what the crowd is saying, but we must press in and go the extra mile to bring our friends to God.

How far would you go to bring a friend to Christ? Would you raise the roof for their salvation?

and this has been a piece of my heart today;

THANKFUL THURSDAY...change of season

Here it is another new year.

With the turning of the calendar, also we find a new season. Winter. And old Mr. Winter has certainly slammed us with cold, snow and ice all over the states. I live in the south, where we do not get much snow but this past weekend we got hit with 5 inches of snow. As much fun as getting a snow day is for us, the cold and ice that follows is not always fun.

I have been hearing alot of people complain and gripe about the cold weather. I don't especially like it, but I embrace it and know that it is only for a season.  I wonder what kind of a difference it would make if we would also look at troubles, trials and tribulations we face in life with that same attitude.

I often times look at stress and difficulties as a growing time. A new season. A time for God to work out some kinks in my life. Of course, like many folks, I would rather complain and gripe about the hard times but I know that this problem that I am facing right now ...it is only temporary. It is only for a season. In due time, it will pass and it will only be a fleeting memory in my mind.

Just like the weather will change, so will the difficulties that we face. Through it all, there is only one thing that will remain the same. It never changes. It is the same on a windy day, a cloudy day and a sunny day. It remains constant when we are up, when we are down and when we are content. The Word of God NEVER changes. It remains the same, in every season of life that we find ourselves in.

Today on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am grateful for God's Word that gives me clear direction for every season that I find myself in. It's Truth is solid, accurate, and applicable to all age groups through all generations!

“The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV)

Isn't it a relief to know that there is something that does not change, or need to be modified or updated. We can stand upon the Word of God...through every season!

Lynn is hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY this month. Please share your grateful heart with ours by linking up over HERE!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...we need each other

Who has never felt the need for a friend in a time of crisis or pain? The bond that we share with others is so critical. We live out our lives within the context of relationships. It goes all the way back to our mother's womb, our very existence is dependent upon two people choosing to be together.

As infants and small children, we are dependent upon the relationship we have with our caregivers, from then on our socialization process begins with playmates and classmates. We learn to tolerate. We learn to share. We learn how to get along with others. We quickly learn that the world does not revolve around us, but other people matter as well.

As I look over my lifespan thus far, I see that relationships come in multiple shapes and sizes. Each one is like a swatch of fabric that makes up a crazy and wild quilt...triangles, squares and rectangles. The colors are vivid, but the textures and patterns are different. No two shapes or designs are alike. The threads that stitch that quilt together is much like the threads that stitch us together with others. Memories. Attitudes. Experiences. Love. Joy. Heartache.

Some of our relationships will last forever.
Some are only for a short duration. In some, we will invest time and love and energy while others we will maintain emotional distance. An acquaintance is different than a friend, and a friend can be as close as a sister. Truth be told, the quality of the relationship is dependent upon the depth of our investment.

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question, "Who do you have the strongest relationship with?" The top 3 responses were:

1. 50% voted and said they have the strongest relationship with their spouse (or mate).
2. 12% responded and said their children.
3. Another 12% replied that they have a strong relationship with their mother.

I have found that over time, our relationships can change. For instance, my relationship with my grown children is not the same as it was when they were younger. They are less dependent upon me. I am no longer their caregiver, but more of a mentor, a friend to them now. Relationships change as our needs change. Sometimes it is good change and sometimes it is not.

Even though relationships can come and go, the one relationship that remains constant is the relationship that God has with us. We may turn our back on God and forget all about His mercies, but God never forgets about us. He never stops loving us. He never gives up on us. We are His children, and His love and affection for us stays the same. No matter what.

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Today, when I think about all of the great people in my life...my husband, my kids, my parents, my siblings, my friends, etc - I cannot forget the One Who I need the most and that is my Heavenly Father. Without Him, I would not have the power to love, forgive and pray for all of the others that walk in and out of my life.

We need each other, indeed, but most of all we need Jesus!

A PIECE OF MY HEART... slipping and sliding

We had a winter blast here in the past 24 hours. I know for some of you, 5 inches of snow doesn't really accumulate to much, but for us southern folks in dixieland, that is enough to shut down restaurants and schools. And it did!

In this kind of weather, it is important that we wear the proper kind of shoes outdoors. If you don't, you find out real quick how unsure your footing is. Without the proper footwear, you will slip and slide and probably fall down.

Not only is it important to wear the proper footwear in wintry weather, but it is also imperative to have the proper spiritual shoes on as well.

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace..." (Ephesians 6:14-15)

Paul is telling us that if we will wear the proper footwear, it will enable us to keep steady, especially when the devil comes around and tries to cause us to slip and slide and fall down. The footwear to the Roman soldier was so important. Think about it, it didn't matter how powerful the breastplate was or how tight his belt was, if the soldier slipped and fell, there wasn't much he could do.

There is nothing more the devil would like to see than you and I slipping and falling. He knows if he can knock us off of our feet, that it will only be a matter of time before we feel defeated. It is imperative that you check the shoes you put on daily, we must wear the proper footwear in order to stand against the wiles of the devil.

What kind of shoes are you wearing today?

What's your temperature?

Milk is great cold. But the thought of drinking a glass of lukewarm milk just makes my stomach turn. That must be what its talking about in the book of Revelation.

Jesus said, "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other." (Revelation 3:15)

Isn't it interesting  that Jesus would prefer us to either be hot or cold. You would think that lukewarm would be good, but truth be told, being lukewarm means that we are only half heartily committed. A lukewarm person will say, "I go to church. I read my Bible sometimes. I guess I believe in God - when it is convenient for me." This is the worse state anyone can be in.

Not hot.
Not cold.
Just lukewarm.

"But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." - JESUS

So, what is your spiritual temperature today?

LWG...are you ready?

Today, I shared the following devo straight from my heart with the readers over at LACED WITH GRACE. It is entitled, "Are you ready?" I would like to share it with you here on my personal blog as well...

*************

This week, I am rushing around the house, getting things ready for my son’s big day. That’s right, my youngest son is getting married tomorrow! Not only is he getting married…but he is marrying one of our own LWG writers…that’s right, Krista Moody is going to be Krista Adams in just 24 hours!

My hands have been busy getting the last minute things ready for the rehearsal dinner, but my heart and my mind have been racing back in time. As I look across the room at my 20 year old son, who has become a man, my mind races back to when he was just a child. The memories of the little league games, the camping trips and the times that he would come in the house from playing to present me with a most beautiful flower…a dying dandelion weed!

The collage of memories just can’t fade from my mind. The birthday cakes that I have baked for him. The many band aids that I have applied to scraped knees. The numerous bedtime stories, especially “Horton the Elephant!” The teacher/parent conferences at school. His prom. His graduation. The day we packed him up to leave for college.

In all of it, I played the leading role in his life as his mother. The one he came running to when he was sad, mad or hurt. This was my job all throughout his growing up years. But now he is grown up and it is now time for me to pass along the leading role to a different leading lady in his life.

Tomorrow, as I pin on his corsage to his tuxedo, no doubt one of my final words to him will be, “Are you ready?” and I know he will say, “Yes I am”. He will stand there, watching his bride walk down the aisle to meet him, he will take her by the hands and promise to love and cherish her forever. As he slips the golden ring on her finger, his heart will be knit to hers as one. He is ready. The question is, “am I?”

God’s Word says “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

Am I ready to hand off the role of leading lady to another? I am. My purpose and time of being his caretaker is done. It is now time for my role to be something different. It’s not a “bad” different, it is just different. It is a new chapter of our lives, one that I embrace with love and joy.

Tomorrow, before he walks that aisle and he tells me that he is ready for this change…would it be alright though if I ask him for just one more hug?

This is my 3rd son to get married, and for you Mom’s out there that are getting ready to go thru this, I would like to say that even though it is a bittersweet moment, a moment full of joy but yet sadness, I promise you, that God will carry you thru. Your relationship with your son (or daughter) does not end at the marriage ceremony, it only begins, except instead of loving a son, you know have the privelege of loving a son and a new daughter! Rejoice!

THANKFUL THURSDAY...second chances

There are certain times in life that I wish that we could just have second chances. When your little guy is up to bat and the bases are loaded, the team has two outs and the win is all up to your son. Boy, when he swings the bat and misses, it would be great instead of hearing the ump yell ... "Your OUT!", instead you heard, "Here's a SECOND CHANCE slugger!"

Face it, we live in a world today where "second chances" are very slim. Just ask the little guy who didn't make the team, or the woman with 3 children who just got dumped for someone younger. We don't get many second chances these days. Nowadays its more like "It's now or never." In fact, instead of getting second chances, its more like "3 strikes - your out!". It's a dog eat dog world we live in.

Jesus had a simple answer to the "dog eat dog world" syndrome, I believe He would say.."Then don't live with the dogs!" Think about it, it makes alot of sense, why let a bunch of failures tell you how much of a failure you are?

Are SECOND CHANCES possible?

I wonder what Peter would say about that if we could ask him?

"But go, tell His disciples - AND PETER- that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." (Mark 16:7)

When I read that passage, the "And Peter" just jumped off of the page to me. It's like all heaven had watched Peter fall (when he betrayed Jesus) - and now it's as if all heaven is wanting to help him back up. My translation of that verse.."Be sure to tell Peter that he is not left out. Tell him that one failure does not make him all washed up!"

Are there "second chances"?
It's not every day that you get one, and Peter must have known that, because the next time he saw Jesus he got so excited that he wasn't even thinking before he jumped into the cold waters of the Sea of Galilee.

It's not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance my friend, much less someone who will give you a second chance EVERY day...but in Jesus, Peter found both.

Aren't you thankful for SECOND CHANCES?

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY, and I am thankful for the second chance that God gives me. I am a sinner, saved by grace. I mess up. All of the time. But I am a work in progress and He is still working on me! Lynn is our gracious hostess for TT this month, please link your TT post up with her. http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...can you hear me now?

A mother went to the back door one more time and called out to her daughter. The young girl was out in the back playing, but it was time to come inside. The mother called out, but there was no response. She knew her daughter had been heard. The daughter knew she had been called, but yet she did not respond. The mother went back inside to attend to the boiling over pot on the stove and finally, in her own sweet time, the young girl came inside. She said to her mother, "Mama, I'd have come in earlier if I had heard you calling!" hmmm - Sounds like "someone" was listening after all!

Listening is probably the MOST important part of communication. In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "What kind of communication do you use most often?" The top 3 responses were:

1. 25% responded and said they communicate face to face most.
2. Another 25% voted and said they communicate via facebook.

3. And another 25% said that they communicate by spending time with people.

It may not occur to you, but more time is spent on "listening" than any other form of communication. We listen more than we talk, read or write. This week's poll indicates that communicating takes alot more than just talking. Most of us have had to have some kind of training in writing and reading. We are taught to do those things, but very few of us have had any formal training in listening! It is through listening that we create an opportunity to truly know one another.

An excellent example of listening is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. It was her house that Jesus went for fellowship and rest. Martha, the older sister, took her responsibilities as hostess very seriously. Jesus brought His disciples with Him, so there was much for Martha to prepare.

Mary was also excited about Jesus' visit. However, her focus was on the opportunity to be with Jesus Himself. She was so eager to be with Him that, even though women usually did not sit with the men, she joined the group so she could listen to what Jesus had to say.

Of course, this irritated Martha who was steadily busy with the preparations that Mary had no time to help her. So Martha with a complaining spirit, said to Jesus, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me."

Jesus response to Martha is exactly the response He would have to us when we tend to not listen...

"Martha, Martha, (or insert your name) you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41, 42)

Communication breakdown usually happens because someone is not listening. Do you remember that commercial for a cell phone company that said, "Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?" That is exactly what the problem was with Martha and with so many of us today. We are so busy, running here and there, and fixated on telling others about our problems that we do not just be still and listen. If we would be still long enough, we might hear God say to us... "Can you hear Me now?"

A PIECE OF MY HEART... spiritual slumber

There are times that I fight sleep, no matter what I do, my eyes get heavy and slumber overtakes my body. The one place that this most certainly happens is traveling in the car long distance. I don't know what it is about riding in the car, but a feeling of "sleep" always comes over me.

In the Gospels, we read about Peter who became quite sleepy at the wrong time. During the Transfiguration might have been a bad time for Peter to fall asleep. Imagine what Peter might HAVE seen had he been fully awake and alert? Of course, Peter struggled with falling asleep again (with James and John) when Jesus told them to stay awake with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Once again, Peter was missing out on a significant event ...

"Couldn't you watch with Me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. for the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." -JESUS (Mark 14:37-38)

I wonder how many times we miss out because we are in a spiritual slumber? Many times, we find ourselves preoccupied with other things that we put off spending time with God. We miss out on hearing what God is trying to speak to us because we are fast asleep. Just like He did with the Disciples, God is pleading with us to be alert, to stay awake with Him.

May we be alert and attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives!