Thursday, December 18, 2014

Todays Daily...walking backwards

TODAY'S DAILY...

It isn't easy to navigate your steps well when you walk backwards. I suppose that is because our feet were meant to go forward.

If I were to walk backwards, I would have the need to constantly turn my head and look behind me. Making sure there were no obstacles in my way to trip me or cause me to get off course.

As a Christian, I have to ask you..."are you walking backwards?"

Do you find yourself constantly looking back over the mistakes you have made or are you looking straight ahead, concentrating on the next step you will take?

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize." -Philippians 3:13,14

Paul couldn't of said it more plainly. What is behind us is behind us, you can't do anything about it, so you my as well pick yourself up, brush the past off and keep moving.

Don't let your past prevent you from walking towards the prize. If you need to walk backwards...just keep your eyes on God and let Him steer your steps. Never turn and look back.


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Daily Devo....laundry room talks

Some of the best conversations I've ever had with a friend happened in the Laundry room. It was here that we would fold laundry and solve the world problems. Talking about her kids, my kids and how we both needed to write a book about the insanity of life.

Nothing ever really got solved in the laundry room during our talks except that for a few moments, everything was shut out except for what was important for two friends to talk about that day.
Laundry talk doesn't happen much these days because we are all AWOL most of the time.

Technology and smart phones keep us from going to the laundry room for conversations. Most of us aren't even present at the table, at our kids concerts or at the movies, let alone the laundry room!
Take a look around next time you are at a restaurant and see just how many people have checked out of the conversation and have their head in their phone checking facebook or IG.

If we are not present in our conversations with our friends, how in tuned are we with our Father?
93% of communication is based upon nonverbal body language, which tells me that talking and listening just isn't enough. We must be present in mind, body and soul.

"Be attentive to My wisdom, incline your ear to My understanding." -Proverbs 5:1

Put the distractions away and discover some laundry room talks with God -just Him and you against the world.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Laced with Grace....Under the wrapping

Today I shared the following devotion with the readers of LACED WITH GRACE. Www.lacedwithgrace.com Have you ever considered that the wrapping paper has purpose?


Pretty wrapping paper. Bright Bows. Rolls of shiny ribbon. It is gift wrapping time!

I love receiving beautifully wrapped gifts. And I have received many beautiful ones over the years, but of all of the wonderful gifts that I have received, I have never saved the wrapping paper instead of the gift. Oh, I know some people who open their gift ever so carefully and fold the ribbon and paper up to save for later, but I for one have not done that. In my mind, the one thing that stands between me and my gift is the paper!

Even though I cannot wait to rip open the gift wrapping to get to what is inside, it isn’t always like that as a Christian. As a believer, we can find ourselves focused more on the gift wrapping than the actual gift. Sometimes the best gifts spiritually aren’t found in the prettiest wrapping.

God uses trials and difficulties in our lives as the wrapping to things that we otherwise may not see or appreciate. If we never got sick, we may not appreciate the gift of His healing. If we never fell on financial hard times, we may never recognize God’s provision. It is through each trial that I have seen how important the wrapping can be, even when it isn’t very eye appealing. Nobody wants to hurt, or be disappointed or struggle in life, but sometimes we have to rip off the outer wrapping to get to the good stuff underneath.

“The Lord wraps Himself in light as with a garment, He stretches out the heavens like a tent.” -Psalm 104:2

No matter the season you find yourself in, don’t forget that the wrapping is only the beginning of the good gifts that God has in store for you.