got trouble?

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

- Psalm 34:19

Brace yourself – the next few words you read may just freak you out!

Life. Is. Not. Perfect.

That’s it.

We all have troubles, but for real – you can let your troubles define you, or you can stand in the face of adversity and say “not today, satan!!”

Song reference!

I lost my keys in the great unknown

And call me please 'cause I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

Forty-five in a thirty-five

Sirens and fines while I'm running behind

Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

To break me of impatience

Conquer my frustrations

I've got a new appreciation

It's not the end of the world

Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff

Someone save me

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

Oh oh oh oh

This is the stuff You use

Some of the most devout people I know have troubles.

Some people have lived every minute of their life, breathed every breath for Jesus, yet they have trouble.

If those people have trouble why on earth would you think that you would not?

Let God define you, be built up by His words, and know that you are loved by a King.

A King protects His people, and God will protect you.

finish the race

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

- Acts 20:24

Over the years, I have heard many variations of the term “rat race”, from joining the rat race to escaping the rat race.

I always thought it just meant getting up and going to work every day until retirement, but when I googled it I found it to be a little deeper.

Wikipedia says A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also refer to a competitive struggle to get ahead financially or routinely.

Urban dictionary defines rat race as a term used to describe a frustrating, hard-to-break financial lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that is lived by countless people, oblivious to the very nature of it, to a degree that even when called upon, vehemently deny it.

Have you ever wondered if we are in a rat race to find salvation?

Earlier in Acts chapter 20, Paul is telling us that he is going to Jerusalem, knowing that he may go to prison.

In fact, Paul went to several prisons over the course of his life, because he was testifying about his God.

What is your life, if you don’t share the Gospel?

What might come of you if you don’t stand for what you believe?

Someday, someone may look at all these words I write since I started sharing my email/blog, and I may be arrested – it happens in other countries and I fear it will happen here someday too.

But . . .

If my words, caused one life to turn to Jesus, than it was worth it.

Jesus gave His life for you, would you give your life for Him?

don't give up

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

- 2 Timothy 4:7

Sometimes life is overwhelming.

It often feels like everything that can go wrong will.

I have some friends that are facing crazy challenges right now, challenges that have the possibility of tearing them down completely.

But they are not letting the challenges stop them, their faith is inspiring.

One friend just keeps pushing back, every time something tries to pull her down, she fights back.

I want to be as strong as these friends.

The strength they get from their faith in the Father.

I’m telling my friends that they’ve got this, but in reality, it’s God who has this – He is the one helping them fight.

I don’t know about you, but when I need someone in my corner, I want it to be Him.  

uplifting

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.

- Psalm 40:2-3

When you hit rock bottom the only place you can go is up.

That is a very old saying, I tried to Google the origins, but there are a lot of people that claim it is one variation or another.

I’ve been in some pretty low places in my life, some were worse than others, but one thing held firm through everything – God.

Even when I didn’t want Him to, He was holding me.

Even when I didn’t acknowledge Him, He was there.

When I was scared.

When I was alone.

When I had no where to turn, my God was always there.

The other day, a sweet friend was having a pretty yucky day, she posted on facebook that she was so grumpy that she was grumpy about being grumpy.

Things were going pretty badly that day, even her computer refused to cooperate.

In an effort to cheer her, I told her that it could be worse, she could have dumped coffee on her keyboard and fried the computer, or she could have dropped the computer and shattered the screen.

Or, she could have been sleepwalking and shaved half her head (she has gorgeous hair).

After reading that, she laughed and thanked me for keeping things in perspective.

But for real – rock bottom is rock bottom, and God can and will help you find your way back up.

Let me know if I can help you find Him.

I’ve stumbled

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

- Psalm 37: 23-24

I am not perfect, and if my children happen to be reading this, then yes, I just admitted out loud and in public – I am far from perfect.

I have fallen so many times, I have broken God’s rules more often than I care to admit.

But you know what?

He always welcomes me back with open arms.

Here is an oldie but goodie song reference:

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

What if I stumble?
What if I fall?

Is this one for the people?
Is this one for the Lord?
Or do I simply serenade for things I must afford?
You can jumble them together, my conflict still remains
Holiness is calling, in the midst of courting fame

Cause I see the trust in their eyes
Though the sky is falling
They need Your love in their lives
Compromise is calling

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You never turn in the heat of it all
What if I stumble, what if I fall?

Father please forgive me for I can not compose
The fear that lives within me
Or the rate at which it grows
If struggle has a purpose
On the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses will leave a deadly scar

Do they see the fear in my eyes?
Are they so revealing?
This time I cannot disguise
All the doubt I'm feeling

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble?
Everyone's got to crawl when you know that
You're up against a wall, it's about to fall
Everyone's got to crawl when you know that (2x)

I hear You whispering my name [You say]
"My love for You will never change" [never change]

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You never turn in the heat of it all
What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You are my comfort, and my God

Is this one for the people, is this one for the Lord?

Even if you did not recognize the song, you can still pull the meaning from the words.

In a world where we have so much adversity, it is good to know that God is on our side, even when we fail.

chains

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

- Titus 3:5

We are supposed to do good things, to care about others and lift each other up, not tear each other down.

When push comes to shove, it isn’t about what we do, because I guarantee you that each and every one of us fall short.

It is about God, it is always about God.

He is the One true King, the One that loves us so much that He forgives us when we are just plain dumb.

He takes away our pain because He has mercy for His children.

He is a chain breaker.

Song reference!

If you've been walking the same old road for miles and miles

If you've been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies

If you're trying to feel the same old holes inside

There's a better life

There's a better life

If you've got pain

He's a pain taker

If you feel lost

He's a way maker

If you need freedom or saving

He's a prison-shaking Savior

If you've got chains

He's a chain breaker

We've all search for the light of day in the dead of night

We've all found ourselves worn out from the same old fight

We've all run to things we know just ain't right

And there's a better life

There's a better life

If you've got pain

He's a pain taker

If you feel lost

He's a way maker

If you need freedom or saving

He's a prison-shaking Savior

If you've got chains

He's a chain breaker

If you believe it

If you receive it

If you can feel it

Somebody testify, testify

How can someone loves us that much?

He is willing to break your chains, to take away your pain and to set your feet on the right path.

Won’t you turn to Him?  

where do you turn?

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

– Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength.

Those are pretty powerful words, and of course the come with a song reference!

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

Taking my sin my cross my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is Your name

The world today is full of hate and anger.

People are fighting with people they don’t even know because they have a difference of opinion.

Humanity is giving way to evil, and God is our only hope.

Don’t turn your back on the One that will save you.