June 29

On December 10, 2011, I broke my leg. We were bicycling through a park on the Alafia River. I was carrying Coco in a sling and she wanted to get down, so I put her down and she got all messy. I couldn’t put her back in the carrier all covered in filth, so I decided to take her down the embankment to rinse her off in the river. I stepped off the pavement and down I went, dog and all. I heard what sounded like a branch breaking, but it wasn’t a branch! It was my leg! Richard offered to carry me back up the embankment, but I was too afraid of the pain it might cause. I thought that the paramedics could get me off the river bank without moving my leg too much, but I was wrong. I should have let Richard carry me, he would have been more gentle. 

My lesson in this was to trust the one who loves me, rather than a complete stranger. They did a great job, and I’m very thankful for them, but I should have listened to Richard, because it would have saved me from experiencing so much pain. 

Physically, things are going to happen, it’s the nature of being in this world, but what’s most important is protecting your heart. God loves you, and in no way wants you to be hurt, but you have to listen to Him and trust Him. Harm comes when you step outside His will; it opens you up to the enemy’s assaults. The way you hear Him is through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and through reading your Bible daily. Make sure you’re tuned in.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. Psalms 91:14

June 28

The wicked have taken up too much of my time. The destruction that is at their fingertips infuriates me. The lies that are concocted to portray Christians as the evil ones, play right into the hands of Satan. Lawlessness and disorder is a part of the enemy's plan, and it looks like he might be winning. We cannot continue to sit back and do nothing! If you haven’t been praying for our country, you need to rise up now, and call on the Lord. Cry out to Him on behalf of our freedom, and ask Him to route the enemy’s plan. Pray fervently. God listens to His children. Don’t wait, pray now!

Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. Psalms 119:53

June 27

There is a lot in the news about gates and walls, most of it is negative. I live in a community that has a gate and walls around it. If someone wants to get in, they will get in, but it will not be as easy as a community without a gate. If you are visiting, we can give you a code or you can call from the box, and we will press a button on our phone and it will let you in.

As a follower of Jesus, you have already gained entry into the kingdom of Heaven. Someone invited you, you accepted that invitation, and completed the requirements for entry. No one will be let in if they are filthy, it’s too posh for that. In Heaven, there will be no guessing as to whether you belong there or not, you will not gain entry without trusting Jesus, and accepting His free gift and spotless cleansing, which is only available through Him. He holds the keys to the kingdom!

If you want someone to live in your heavenly neighborhood, make sure you invite them, and show them how to gain access and have their name placed on the guest list.

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27

June 26

My daughter and I took a little trip over to the Pinellas County beaches. We started at Indian Rocks, and drove along the coastline. We ended up stopping at John’s Pass, which is a big tourist draw that has grown to be overwhelming. It used to be just a boardwalk along the inlet, with a restaurant, a few boats, and some specialty shops, but now has over one hundred stores! After paying to park, and taking a walk on the boardwalk, I realized that I had grown out of that type of environment, and it no longer appeals to me like it did when I was much younger.

What brings you joy in the midst of the chaos? It changes for me depending on where I am. One day it might be the waves of the gulf lapping along the shore, another day it may be the sound of birds chirping and the noise of the cicadas. I am most at peace when surrounded by the unspoiled things of God. Even if you are surrounded by craziness, you can focus on Jesus, and settle in His peace within the chaos. Think about Jesus today, and rest easy in His presence.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

June 25

The town I live in used to be a small town. Over the years, it has grown immensely. There is a main thoroughfare that, at one time was a dirt road, because it is lined with very old houses that have now been turned into small businesses. This street that was once a dirt road is now four lanes and has a wide turn median, and a lot of cars travel down that road daily. Our thought path is similar to that old dirt road, the more we think about, and contemplate on certain things, the wider that pathway gets, and unless we change our mindset, it will become a four lane highway. If you constantly dwell on “poor me,” well, you’re going to be sad all the time. If you make your mind up that you’re going to make the best of what you have, your outlook on life will change for the better. As my post states, I’m speaking to those who follow Jesus, if you are speaking in a negative tone all the time, how does that reflect on Jesus? Why would anyone want to follow Jesus if they see you down all the time. Change your mindset to an attitude of gratitude, and make that four lane path a positive one.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

June 24

We bought a tandem bicycle and had it about a year. The day we bought it, we took it for a ride in a park, and then never rode it again. It’s my own fault because I didn’t like the feeling of not being in control, plus I couldn’t see over Richard’s head. We sold it to a couple who will probably ride it until the wheels fall off! Life with Jesus is like being in the second seat of a tandem bicycle, if you truly love and trust Him. He controls the direction you go, you don’t get a full picture of what’s coming because He’s blocking your view, and He’s the one pedaling the most. Our best ride is when we take our feet off the pedals and let Him take complete control! Our worse ride is when we are the ones in the first seat, controlling the direction we go, and doing all the pedaling; we get worn out and lost. Relinquish control of your destiny to Jesus; He’s in control anyway, so why fight it?

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10

June 23

When do you say enough is enough? How long do you endure the emotional pain inflicted by others? What if they say they are a Christian? God gave us scripture in 1 Corinthians 13 to explain what godly love should look like. It’s obvious that God doesn’t expect us to tolerate emotional abuse by overlooking it. The pain of emotional abuse may not cause you to bleed out, but it is just as painful, or may be more painful than a laceration, because no one will help you attend to that kind of pain; it's usually endured silently and all alone. The abuser who claims Christianity, is not walking in fellowship with God, and has distanced themselves from Him. Separation from the abuser, even if it’s just temporary for them to seek Christian counsel, may be the best course of action. Be careful that you do not sin while dealing with an abuser, and add to the pain of the situation. Maintain your own calm, and realize that the person inflicting the pain has probably endured the kind of pain they have transferred to you. You must stay in constant contact with God and seek His counsel as you walk out the steps to heal.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10