Posts

Shoot Those Squirrels!

  SQUIRREL!! Do you spend dedicated time alone with God, or are you “chasing squirrels”? It happens to all of us. You just get settled in a quiet place, you’re talking with the Lord, or just listening and the phone rings, or you think of the call you said you’d return, or the laundry that needs to go in the dryer…on and on.   If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you want wisdom, understanding and a good day…you better start it with some lone, non-squirrel time with the Lord! In that lone time, be ready to hear from God too. It’s not just a one-way conversation from you to Him. He will speak back to you, to show you, lead you, reveal something to you. You may not like that revelation either, so be prepared. It may be your stubbornness, impatience levels, anger, hidden dishonesty etc. God is not tormenting or rejecting us in these revelations, rather He’s trying to let us know what parts are still broken and need repair.   And…hold on…it gets tougher…sometimes He has to ge

Gratitude...No Suck It Up Buttercup Today!

This is a "soft" one for today... Some think “gratitude” is just saying thanks for something someone did. But it is so much more than that. Sincere gratitude is deep. It is a choice, rather than just a feeling. Gratitude is a core leadership trait that will have you praising the good in the people you lead; have you encouraging those on your team to complete your mission in excellence. It is expressing to those around you, your intense and personal appreciation for them being part of the extraordinary missions you will accomplish.   Leader or follower, we all need to develop an ongoing expression of gratitude. Choosing to focus on the positive, the good and the excellence in our surroundings has proven to benefit our health, relationships, levels of satisfaction, even our sleep! Gratitude will help you bring out the best in yourself and in others. Now that is a winning combination. Be grateful.  

Special Forces Training

 Ever feel like you're being pummeled left and right in life. Just think of the Navy Seals and the Army Special Forces trainees. They go through punishing training days and nights. Physical extremes like we can't imagine. Does the military do that to punish them...of course not. These men and women volunteered to do some of the most dangerous, sacrificial, life-threatening missions to protect the Homeland and those who are in need in far away places. It's like that for those of us who have given over our lives to the Lord. If you are serious with Him, be prepared, for you may go through some rigorous training. You may not have the luxury sometimes of the softer things in life; you may be pushed beyond your limits, physically, mentally and spiritually. But, if you are led by the Spirit of God, it will be for a perfect result.  As I shared with a friend the other day, "You are destined to be a strong warrior in the Lord. Satan knows that, and is badgering you to death. I

No Whining...Get To It!

It is a hard thing to do to rejoice when everything is falling apart or not going our way. It's not a joke, or something casual. It is a practicing that puts us IN God's presence. That's where the peace and wisdom comes from to get through the challenge...or even just a tough day. Pray, work, rest...repeat. Now, go get to it!!

Change Ain't Just Coins!

 Nobody likes to change. We think we're just fine...it's everybody else that has the problem. We pray for others to be kinder, to get a life, to get off our back and on and on. All very normal...that is if you're living with the broken "Adam nature" ruling instead of God's nature. P.S. You can't have the God nature rule if you've never asked Him to come into your life and heart and forgive you...but that's for another blog! Back to the change problem...We always need to check what we pray for. We may ask God to remove something that He wants us to fight! So often, we want God to do everything. Well...He's not broken...WE are. We need to change, not Him. He doesn't need the practice...WE do. We have to practice asking Him for peace, strength and comfort within. Waiting is always hard but if we hand Him a set of blueprints for our lives that we designed, we'll always be disappointed because He has something better. He's not building t

Alone But Not Lonely

 I'm going to continue sharing some of the wise things God has me share with others in replying to their cry for help. If it helps others, it just might help you... Years ago, I asked the Lord why so many jerks and miserable people came across my path. He told me I couldn't learn to love the unlovable unless they were right there in front of me. And believe me, I've had lots of practice. And sometimes, in a search for a friend or close relationship, people will compromise their belief system or even their spiritual foundation, just to have someone around. It's not good to act one way to attract someone and then not be the real you. Rather, just relax. Being alone doesn't have to mean being lonely. Keep developing your best in Christ. Stop looking to the details of your life to give you peace and happiness. Ain't gonna happen, people!  And you surely don't want to be in a close relationship or want to be married if you're still bleeding all over the place

Take That Hill, Soldier!!

 In a recent conversation with a Veteran friend, some wisdom actually flew out of my mouth! Must have been God, if it was wise!! I always did say, "Your best day with me...is when I'm not me!" So I thought I'd share this with you, I said... "Your road is tougher than many, but will make you stronger. When the snowflakes faint to the side, we'll be able to keep going. Breathe, let God's perfect flow come from you today, not the hurt, 'you owe me', imperfect part come forth. Fight it with all your might. Our greatest battles are with ourselves, not others. God is with you." That may have been hard for that person to hear, but they totally agreed, noting that the ego is the problem ( E dging G od O ut). That Vet went on to say that humility, through service and sacrifice to others is key. Easier said than done! There...now get up and get going. No crying and whimpering, Buttercup! Just do it.