Earth Day - you can make things right!

One of the really cool things about plants is their ability to grow back or start over after devastation. If you take a portion of a plant or even a seed from a tree and replant it - there is a high probability that the plant will grow again. If it is cared for. You too can begin again even if you feel like life has left you in pieces. It only takes one seed to make a mighty tree! 

Recently, a man who escaped a North Carolina prison in 1972 called his local authorities to turn himself in. After 40 years of hiding, he decided to surrender. When he was asked about his surrender, he responded, "I need to make this right and get through this."

But there’s also this, it’s not too late— GOD ’s personal Message!— “Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!” Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your GOD! (Joel 2:12-14 MSG)

The message is this - you can make things right - it's not too late.

Instead of worrying about what others think - do what needs to be done. Sometimes the only thing left between your forgiveness, your freedom, and your future is your ability to finally do what's right. 

We can all do our part to save the planet. Everyone won't have the clean earth agenda but that shouldn't stop you from making right choices for the world.

The man from the article was in hiding over 15,000 days but it only took one day for him to feel right about his life. (update) The man has been suffering from a medical condition and knew that he would receive healthcare in prison. I still think that at the end of it all - getting right has to take place - and the catalyst for change isn't always gentle.

We have mistreated the earth, ourselves, and others for too long let's take today to make things right.

Surrender to right living and reap the rewards of healthy living, His full grace, and His total blessings! 

Help in an abandoned place

Shock filled my being as I read the article. It was a hateful story from the City of Brotherly Love. A woman is accused of abandoning her son and fleeing to a state potentially named after the Mother of Jesus. (ironic)

On a brisk Sunday evening, Nyia Parler, a 41-year old mother wheeled her quadriplegic son 150 yards into a wooded Philadelphia park. Once there, She hoisted him from his wheel chair and laid him on a pile of leaves. She covered him with a blanket, placed a bible at his side, then turned her back and disappeared into the night. Nyia was allegedly heading to Maryland to spend a week with her boyfriend. 

For five nights, her son laid in the cold air unable to move or call for help. Beyond being a quadriplegic, the 21-year old man had cerebral palsy and could not speak. I shutter to think about his experiences alone in the woods, hungry, and helpless. 

The fifth night of the horrific ordeal, an individual walking by happened to notice the wheel chair and called for help. 

The Philadelphia police spokesman, Lt. John Walker said,"It's only by the grace of God that he survived this."
It was only 21 years ago that young 20 year old Nyia cradled her new born child and now she decides  to leave him. What changed? 


Psalm 27:10New Living Translation (NLT)

"Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close."

People make unorthodox decisions on a regular basis. Many are one thought away from a tragic decision. And, although they feel that a decision to leave will only affect them, there is often several others that are also affected. The loneliness felt from abandonment is immense. It is often debilitating to such a degree that the person experiencing it feels utterly helpless. For that 21 year old to already be literally helpless and then get abandoned in the woods with a blanket and a book is without words. 

But that wasn't any ordinary book - behind the cover and inked into every page were promises of God's faithfulness and ability to save the abandoned. When we feel left God knows what's right!

Deuteronomy 31:6 Before the death of Moses, he tells Joshua that he is the one that will lead them and affirms him by saying, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Even in your lonely place you are not alone. You have a comforter that holds you in the cold and guides you in the darkness. 

That 21 year old boy could have died. I honestly believe that it was God's grace that saved him and shows us that in our weakest points He is The Father that holds us and won't let go!

I challenge you to read about God's love for the lost and seek to share His word with individuals that you know are battling loneliness or abandonment.

I cannot judge the mom but I am praying for her and her children. I don't know every detail that made her leave but I know who will stay with her and her boys as they heal from this.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/13/us/philadelphia-quadriplegic-man-abandoned-mom-extradition/index.html

http://news.yahoo.com/police-seek-arrest-mother-disabled-man-left-woods-065705681.html

My Father hung with criminals

I have heard people say, "God could never be in a place this bad." I've even witnessed individuals admit that because of the hell they have lived there is no way that could see Heaven.

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. (John 19:18 KJV)

The final day of Jesus' earthly existence, he was hoisted on a cross between two convicted criminals. I like how the King James Version states it. The verse says Jesus was "in the midst". Even in this dark and painful place our savior was not above it or disconnected from it but rather directly in the midst of it. It is hard to imagine that God could reside in the midst of our most painful places - yet we serve and represent a God that identifies with our pain and has the healing salve we so desperately need.

One criminal mocked Jesus and the other made a simple request, "Remember me."

Here is a glimmer of hope for your dark place - you are always on His mind and He has the exit plan for your pain.

I recently read that the home of former heavyweight champion mike tyson was practically given away. Yep! Given away!

At the height of his career Iron Mike purchased the 25,000 sq foot home for $300,000. Over the years, the house transferred hands many times and gained an asking price that reached $3.5 million. Many of the buyers fell into financial trouble for illegal activity and one of the buyers actually planned to produce a 24 hour internet show with women in the house. It seemed like the house carried a negative stigma. Ultimately a congregation that was holding services in a school, purchased the home for $750.000.

If this dilapidated and misused edifice could be transformed into a dwelling place for worship despite its sordid past - how much more can God use your pain stained past for His glory.

On the third day, the stone that was set to confine was removed and Jesus reigns! Run to God let him remove the stone that is suffocating your success. 

Fancy donkey carpet

The Polo Purple Label Donkey Carpet

 

Matthew 21:8 (NLT)

 

8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

 

I walked into the children’s Sunday school classroom and sat towards the side. It was Palm Sunday and I was intrigued to see what the children were saying. The teacher asked a simple question. “Why do you think the people spread their garments on the road?” The response dropped my jaw and made me laugh a bit. A little kid raised his hand and before being called on blurted, “Because they didn’t have anywhere to hang them!”

 

It was the last week of Jesus’ physical life on earth. Knowing that his time to die was near, Jesus directed his disciples to enter the town of Bethphage to secure a colt for Him to ride. In the Gospel of Matthew 21:2 Jesus said, “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me…”. I find it interesting that Jesus asks for both the donkey and the colt yet only planned to ride the colt. The Gospel of Mark explains that the colt was unbroken. The mother of the colt is only mentioned in The Gospel of Matthew. Wait for it…

Could it be that the mother was brought along to keep the colt tame? Parents need to walk with their children as they carry the awesome responsibility of being a reflection of God. 

 

The thought of Jesus on something so simple makes me even more excited about our Savior. With the ability to ride into the city of Jerusalem on any noble steed or even an army of majestic angels – He chose to ride the back of an untamed colt, a child per se - with his mother in tow. Yes, the colt was to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” But when we expect adult revelation Christ speaks as a child. Here is my first point. I believe that we need to get back to the simplicity of who Christ is to us. Instead of the theatrics that we expect from His entrance into our lives and our circumstances, look for the little things. As a matter of fact look for that thing that makes sense in a place that seems senseless. The colt carried the king and not the mother donkey yet Jesus required them both. When we apply our grown up understanding to God’s grasp on our lives we miss the miracle. However we can catch the blessing if we stay connected to the unconventional and TRUST that God always has a plan. 

 

The story continues… 

 

The disciples removed their garments and placed them on the animals then placed Jesus on the colt. As they made the Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem most of the people removed their garments and laid them along with palm branches for the colt that carried Jesus to walk on. The people cried hosanna because they were looking for salvation or better put, deliverance from Rome. They needed a savior for their soul but only desired a release from the circumstances. 

 

The point…

 

I can imagine the regalia that the people donned to witness Jesus, the Messiah, entering their city. Then, to see them remove their fancy clothes to make a carpet for an animal to trample is awesome. The reason many people have not been able to truly welcome the savior into their lives is because they are making gestures and not giving their all. I believe they placed down their good clothes for the Triumphal Entry but was their heart in it? Even so - when we give, what is our intent. Remove what is necessary, stop hanging your identity on what you think is substantial, and lay your all at the feet of the one who can make change and provide sense.

 

It’s that simple. 

 

Are you looking for Him? What will you (completely) remove to welcome Him home?

The shade though!

Dark enough to see…

February 26, 2015 one picture nearly broke the Internet. The picture went from one person’s social media site to over ten million tweets worldwide. It wasn’t the most picturesque but it grabbed enough attention to make it a common household conversation. The picture asked a simple question, “What color is this dress?” Some people said black and blue others said white and gold.

There were as many opinions as there were shares of the dress on social media.

The reason everyone’s opinion differed on the same dress was because of lighting.  The light that was used when the picture was taken gave a varying hue to the dress and depending on the condition of the viewer’s eyes and exposure to light, opinions changed. The funny part of the whole ordeal is how long it took for someone to ask the dressmaker about the actual color. (It was blue and black)

I believe the same is true when you consider the way individuals create opinions without seeking the facts. It is often because the circumstance is displayed in the wrong “light”. When Jesus asked his disciples how others perceived Him, they gave answers depending on the light in which He was seen. Peter gave the correct answer because He sought the creator. (Matthew 16:13-20)

Ellen DeGeneres is quoted, “In the beginning there was nothing. God said, ‘Let there be light!’ And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better. ”

Light can reveal a lot when used properly.

When I was in High School my mom gave me a super fancy watch. It had a genuine leather band; at least that is what was engraved in it. It also had a gold face, notches on the bezel for the hours, and glow in the dark hands. I loved the watch and only wore it on special occasions. One evening we went to a play. I looked at my watch during the production and realized I couldn’t see the hands. I was annoyed! After reading the manual, I learned that the hands needed to be exposed to light for an extended amount of time in order for them to glow in dark places.

Have you allowed limited exposure or completely avoided the light you need to shine appropriately in a dark place?

Matthew 5:14-16(NLT)

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Knowing Jesus ignites a light that makes you glow. The amazing light of Jesus Christ that is living in you is very accessible but it can seem dim if it is hidden by distractions. If it looks fun but fades the light that helps you be the person God created you to be, it isn’t for you. Change locations, remove the shield, and glow the way you were intended.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

- Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

In our DARKEST moments we realize our need for the LIGHT…

His light can not only give light to you but also give directions to those near you.

 While taking a photography class, I learned that the negative makes creative pictures based on the shutter speed. The longer that the shutter is open greater amounts of light are exposed to the negative. Light objects blur across the print and dark spots disappear.

If things seem negative for you – open your heart to The Light. Prolonged exposure will spread His Light throughout your outcome and will fade your dark spots.

Get to know The Light (Jesus Christ)

Spend more time in His Light 

Reveal His light in you to others

The Elephant MUST retire...

The elephant must retire…

The elephant in the room is a frequently used idiom for an obvious issue that no one wants to address. That problem or issue is often obtuse and difficult to overlook. Yet, people typically find ways to creatively ignore the obvious in an attempt to avoid what must be discussed.

When I was a kid I loved the circus. The vibrant colors mixed with the synchronization of laughter and the awe of excitement painted lasting memories. Today, new acrobats flipping, clowns performing, lions roaring, and massive elephants marching still entice people to the Greatest Show on Earth. Above it all, I am most impressed by the elephants. How do they get these weighty pounds of flesh to dance, do head stands, and bow with grace and ease? There is even a Disney movie about a silly but aerobatic circus elephant with a tragic and triumphant story. How could you not love the circus elephants?

Soon, kids will no longer make a circus elephant memory. Can you imagine my shock when I read that The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus announced that they were phasing out their elephant attraction? As fun as it is to see them perform, the negativity they received from being a traveling attraction was surmounting.

But, just like the Disney movie, this thought starts tragic yet it will end in triumph.

Mark 11:23-25 (ESV)

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received[c] it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Many people refer to their life as their own private circus. It is a cornucopia of joy, pain, mishaps, circumstances, successes, and spectators. The private circus has performers and spectators. The performers are the people trying to keep it all together and the spectators are some people enjoying the show and some people hoping for failure. Don’t forget the elephant of the show. That is our big attraction that everyone can see but needs to retire.

I believe that we all have elephants in our circus that have gained great attention but need to be let go. What is your elephant? Have you developed a personality or character trait that no longer defines you? Maybe you have allowed an old circumstance great dominance in your life. Maybe you carry an addiction that everyone is aware of but no one will address.

The fear that exists with letting go of the elephant rests in wondering if the show will continue.

In the Gospel of Mark we are taught through the metaphor of moving mountains that even the most substantial and resistant objects can be moved. Not only can they move but we also can move on with our lives.

With unwavering confidence you must retire your elephant. This isn’t magic, it's faith. Your Father in Heaven, who moved matter to make you cares deeply about what matters to you. He can remove your giant circus attraction but you must diligently believe and speak to Him about it through prayer.

The show will go on! I am not sure what the circus will use to replace the elephant attraction. What I do know is that it is trademarked The Greatest Show on Earth and you don’t take away a big attraction without having a better plan in mind. God never digs out holes without planting something great. It’s ok to retire your elephant and keep the lights on - the Creator of the Universe has something greater behind the curtain.

BONUS:

Verse 25 says stand and pray then it says you must forgive others so that your Heavenly Father can forgive you. If your elephant is forgiveness, don’t allow that big beast to stink up your show with droppings of bitterness and anger. Forgive and get forgiven!

What is your elephant?

When will you let it retire?

How to Fight a Frown!

“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” – Charles "Charlie" Chaplin

I wonder if the thorn in the Apostle Paul’s side was a demon called allergies. With prayers, medicine, shots, and more those pesky allergies get beaten but relentlessly return. If you suffer from this same thorn, you know about the constant nasal drip, coughing, sneezing, puffy eyes and more. And, like clockwork, allergies flaunt their ugly head at the most inopportune time.  My son, unfortunately, suffers from allergies. He’s not allergic to a type of food or beverage, however his body has the most adverse affects to major climate changes and invisible floating particles that appear during the change in seasons.

As we were making our morning commute to school, I heard a loud and moist sneeze. I turned around and saw two globs of snot similar to a blonde Pipi Longstocking’s braids hanging below his nostrils.  DISGUSTING!

He let out a boisterous laugh then said, “Daddy, look at my moustache!”

I couldn’t help but laugh with him. (And wipe his nose)

Life is full of embarrassing moments that make us want to cower and disappear. Yet, its how we handle mistakes and unfortunate moments that make a difference. We cannot effectively predict every circumstance or their frequency but we can choose how we respond.

Proverbs 15:13-15 (NASB)

13 A joyful heart makes a [a]cheerful face, But [b]when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. 14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,

But a [c]cheerful heart has a continual feast.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

― Oscar Wilde

Here are three ways to fight a frown!

1. Feed your heart with good things

The bible teaches that we speak what is on our hearts and that our face is a mirror to our heart as well. There are a lot of people who speak beautifully but look horrendous. In order to keep our face and our mouth in check we need to feast on what makes us smile internally and externally. We have bad days but we have a GREAT GOD that is on our side. As your attitude falls, raise your spirit with the Joy of the Lord. Keep pictures that make you smile in immediate access, put notes of encouragement (in your wallet, on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator and on your car radio).

2. Feed your mind with good things

Too many things have access to our minds. Turn off what discourages you and seek things that encourage you spiritually, physically, and emotionally. There is a reason I don’t listen to slow jams in the gym – I need upbeat music to keep my pace and rhythm. Listen to spiritually encouraging music and read God’s promises throughout your day. Commit to waking up with a scripture (verse of the day by the Youversion App) and at least listen to something encouraging on your morning commute. In the rhythm of life, feed your mind with what keeps you on pace with positive accomplishment.

3. Stay Hydrated!

The body can survive without food for days but will suffer swiftly without water. John 4:14, (NLT)

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." Water is a great source for cleansing and maintaining good health. Having a real relationship with God and knowing His Son, Jesus, is like carrying a Camelbak backpack that never runs dry. If you are feeling unfulfilled and consistently down it may be your diet. Try removing some foods/habits from your diet through a fast and passionately seek God during that time. Often we will discover during a fast that there are certain things we can completely survive without. After your fast continue your constant consumption of water/God’s word for maintenance and good health.

PROVERBS 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Instead of hiding in the shadow of your failures – stand on the victory that your mistakes and embarrassing moments have taught you, seek the best responses, and laugh.

Laugh at your self.

Laugh with others not at others.

Laugh out loud often.

Even the toughest seasons have an expiration date.