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What is it about the Ocean?

I spent this past week at the beach. We were with dear friends and the weather couldn’t have been better. I tried to read but quickly realized this was a week for pondering and waiting on the the Lord. Before you read further, I encourage you to listen to this song as it will provide the back drop for what I want to share. https://youtu.be/dy9nwe9_xzw

Just like Peter, the Lord does indeed call us out upon the water. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:22-33&version=NIV A metaphor for letting ourselves go to a place where we realize we are no longer in control. Walk with me from the beach into the ocean where with every step the water gets deeper until you are standing on your tippy toes and all you can see is the water swirling around you. That is what God wants from us. To be totally immersed in His Love that we can’t see anything else and therefore all we can do is trust in Him. Francois Fenelon in the book Let Go says, “Be careful of distractions and the desire to do too many things at once. Above all things, be faithful in the present moment and you will receive all the grace you need.”

Here are some other vignettes that came to my mind as I sat in solitude letting the waves carry me from one analogy to another. My hope is it will cause you to close your eyes and think about these things as if you were in a chair with the water from the waves washing over your feet.

  1. No matter how long it has been, the ocean is still there when I return. When you walk up to the beach, you know the ocean is there. If you are quiet, you can hear the waves from far away. Isn’t that just like God. No matter how long it has been since you last sat in His presence, He is there welcoming you back with delight. If we are still, we can hear Him and know that He is God, our Creator.
  2. I watched an accomplished surfer riding waves while someone else was getting their first lesson. Just like our faith journey, the veteran was able to stand up and navigate the power of the waves giving him a smooth ride toward shore. The beginner however, had a hard time getting up on the board. She fell off time and time again because she couldn’t find her balance as she was pushed forward by the force of the sea. Her persistence paid off in the end. She learned from her failures and eventually she caught a wave and to her surprise, was surfing in toward those who had been encouraging her after every wipeout.
  3. In the early mornings as I sit on the beach awaiting the sunrise, there are folks out looking for pretty rocks and shells that the recent high tide has brought in overnight. Isn’t it interesting that you can tell which ones have been in the ocean the longest. They have been smoothed out and sometimes even made shiny by the constant churning of the waves crashing along the shore. The same can be said for us. Our lives become more beautiful as we age because we have been refined by trials and circumstances we have encountered along the way. Just like that pretty shell or rock, people can pick out that beauty out of a crowd.
  4. The last lesson I will share comes from my love of boogie boarding. Waves can be powerful and when they are, handled properly, they can provide quite a ride toward shore. God is like a powerful wave. You have to choose the right one, sit back, and catch it just right. If you get ahead of yourself, it can lead to a nose dive and you being thrown off the board. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death or a wipeout 🙂 If you sit and wait too long, the swell will pass and leave you behind.” Oswald Chambers says it this way: “Launch all on God, go out on the great swelling tide of His purpose.” Psalm 27;14 https://www.gotquestions.org/wait-on-the-Lord.html But when you time it correctly, the momentum of the wave lifts you up and sends you forward in such an exhilarating sort of way. God wants us to live life in the same way: Respecting His power and waiting Him. He does not want us to be out in front of Him nor does He want us to hang back when He is ready for us to be used by Him. So, as Hillsong sung in the song I suggested, “Will you call upon the Lord? He wants us to submit to his power and live life immersed in His desire to push us forward so that we can accomplish all He has in store for us.

Thanks for reading my blog. If you found it helpful, please forward it to other who might be encourage by it. If you haven’t already, I would love for you to subscribe so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. I can be reached via email at [email protected]

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What can we learn from our times on vacation?

I have been sharing my thoughts with you recently about Psalm 23. https://thankfulinallthings.com/musings-on-psalms-23/ Well this week I get to experience where God “leads me by still waters so He can restoreth my soul”

The beach is my favorite vacation location and the Outer Banks of North Carolina has been a destination spot for our family. We came down with friends 35 years ago and have been coming back ever since. This week we are here with two other couples who have been friends for almost 50 years which leads me to what the ocean can teach us. Where there is an ocean there is a beach and the beach is a place where friends and family can gather to rest and enjoy a time away together away from the regular day to day constraints. This type of time teaches us that we need to get away so we can return ready to deal with our normal day to day responsibilities. Hopefully it is a time where we can be encouraged by those with us and that we can do the same for them as well. The goal is to find depth in our conversations and to laugh a lot.

The best type of vacation is when everyone has a willingness to pitch in so there is time for each person to recharge knowing there is someone taking care of what needs to be done. Here are a few examples that have worked for us in the past. 1) An agreement to share equally in the expenses and the opportunity to pay a little more for someone who needs the financial help. 2) There are nights you cook and clean up so you know you can relax with no responsibilities the other nights. 3) Noone has to do anything except for the family photo 🙂 Games can be played and movies can be watched but there is freedom to not participate. 4) You commit to help everyone find the time to have personal down time and take a nap or two and others do the same for you.

As I thought about these vacation guidelines, I wondered why we don’t implement them into our every day lives as well. Think about it….1) Why not share equally in chores or financial matters more? Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” 2) Think of the times where others do the chores so you can rest as your Sabbath. “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” – Genesis 2:2 We all need to find down time where we can truly rest and not feel bad about not pitching in. Follow God’s example and take a full day each week for Sabbath rest – a time to focus on God and His goodness, and allow Him to refresh you for the next week’s work. 3) As far as the family photo. Seek Unity in all you do and honor your mother 🙂 “God calls his people to live in unity with one another, so it is important to make every effort to live together in harmony with everyone.” Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” 4) Help those around you to find rest and restoration. Ephesians 4:2,3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Can we turn vacations into our every day lives? Why not give it a try. Maybe soon no matter where you are, you can say when asked how are you doing, “it is just another day in paradise.” 🙂 Why not just Let Go!

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What golf teaches us about life?

Justin Thomas took home the Wannamaker trophy as the 2022 PGA Champion. Many experts thought Scottie Scheffler would be the winner but he missed the cut meaning he didn’t get to play over the weekend. It is often said, ”that is why they play the game”. Others would say, ”It just wasn’t his week”. Another friend remarked, ”You can prepare well but you can’t control the variables.”

Last week, I wrote about how the first three verses on Psalms 23. Here is the link https://thankfulinallthings.com/musings-on-psalms-23/ if you don’t subscribe (which I hope you will ?) or missed it. We must first acknowledge that the Lord is our shepherd who does not want us to want for anything. Golf like Life is hard and times can be tough at times. Therefore, God makes us rest and provides times of peace so that we can strive to walk the paths of righteousness with our souls refreshed. Why? Because the circumstances of life will come which we won’t have control of the outcome. That is when we must be able to trust that our Shepherd or a caddy/coach for a golfer is there to protect, provide comfort, and lead us out of the adversity that has come our way.


Each golfer has a yardage book for every course on which they play. It shows the exact distance to every place on each hole This book helps the player hit the right shot so that it avoids any hazard that has been placed between the tee and the green. The more the golfer plays a course, the more notes are written so they can better understand the best way to achieve success. The bible is our yardage book for life. The more we read it and take notes on what it teaches for each life situation, the better we will know how to live life well. When we are challenged we can choose to trust and not fear. We can find peace and comfort knowing God is with us whether walking by still waters or facing the valley of the shadow of death.

Believe it or not John 11:44 can provide a golf and life lesson at the same time as well. The well known story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, ends with Jesus saying to his friends and family, “now take off his dead clothes off so he can go home.” You see, Lazarus arms and legs were bound to his body so he couldn’t free himself without others help. In golf, there might be a few things that hinder you from hitting the ball properly. We need others who we trust to help us correct our mechanics allowing our swing to be freed up to hit the proper shot. Jesus teaches that we need others to help us live our lives well. Yes, we have the yardage book called the bible but it was not a mistake that He sent the disciples out in twos. https://biblehub.com/niv/mark/6.htm We need others to encourage us so we can be free to live the life God intended for each of us. We also desire folks who have our best interests in mind to help us correct our life mechanics so we can become the best version of ourselves.

Let’s all go out this week asking others to help us take off the things that restrain us from living the way God intends for us to live. Let’s also be willing to be that trusted friend who helps strip away things that keeps someone from living their best life.

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Musings on Psalms 23

I have been reciting Psalm 23 several times a day over the last couple years. Sometimes I just say it from start to finish. Other times I personalize it adding prayers for me and for others. Sometimes I fall asleep before finishing it at bedtime. And then there are the times when I’m in the middle of it and can’t remember the rest ? As many times as I have read it or set it out loud, I came across something this week that I’ve never thought about before.  This post will be my thoughts on the first three verses and how God prepares us for when adversity comes our way.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Do you see it now? One verse leads us into the next. Each one prepares us for what is to come. First, we are to acknowledge that the Lord is our Shepherd who will provide all that we need. Secondly, He does not ask us to lie down in green pastures, He make us do it. He knows we need rest even when we might not think it is necessary. Once we have rested, he gives us the opportunity to experience the peace that comes from being led to still quiet, waters. There is nothing more peaceful for me than being at the ocean when there are no waves and the sun is yet to rise. It does indeed “restoreth my soul”

He has created us. He leads us. He calls us to rest so that we can be restored. Why? So that when adversity comes our way as it does each and every day, we will not fear because He promises to be with us. May this thought process cause you to “go out knowing that goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life, knowing you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6

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Do you want to be a Lion or a Shepherd?

I was perplexed this week when I saw people posting that “I want to be a lion who refuses to talk, walk, and sleep with Sheep”, As I thought about it more I realized this is what is wrong these days in our world. How can we find Unity if we choose to not associate with others who we think aren’t like us? Luke 15:2 reminds us “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus was the true Lion. He knew who He was and what His mission was in life. He obviously did not refuse too talk, walk, and sleep with Sheep.

Jesus goes on to teach, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

So, I am confused. How can we create Unity (Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward Yes), if we won’t talk or walk with those sheep who are looking for someone who is strong like a lion to follow? Maybe I am missing something but this thought process seems to be one of arrogance rather than leading others with a servant hearted humility. Another way of putting it is “If we are always looking up to God, we won’t have time to look down on others” Let’s also remember those who think of themselves as lions now, were shaped by others as they matured. What would have happened if those who taught you the way had chosen to not “talk, walk, or lie down” with you when you needed their help?

A.W. Tozer says, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible – what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” Isaiah 11:6 reminds us,

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.“

The little child Isaiah writes about is Jesus. My encouragement is to change the saying from “I am a lion, not a sheep” to “I am brave and fierce enough to be a shepherd to the sheep”. People who will help others to lay down in green pastures, let them enjoy the beauty of still waters, and lead them through tough times because they trust us and see out care for them.

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How did Easter cause you to seek God?

UVA Easter Sunrise Service

Charles Stanley reminds us that we need to be mindful of our priorities. Where do you invest our time and energy? What or who occupies our thoughts?  “As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking the Lord.” The beginning of the year brings New Year resolutions? Easter brings the hope of a new life and the promise that our lives can be made new when we look to Him. How did you seek the Lord during the Easter season? I hope it was a time of refreshment and led you to a renewed desire to reorient your priorities so that life can be all God intends for it to be.

What does it mean to be renewed/refreshed? Why is it important? It is getting warmer outside again. As you walk by a pond, stop and look at it. It may look fine but in fact, it may be stagnant which can lead to fish kills and the rapid growth of floating green organic matter. It happens when there isn’t a constant exchange of living water that keeps a pond environment alive and healthy. Water comes in and fills a stagnant pond during a rain or a snow melt. But there is no outlet to keep the pond water fresh. The same can be said for how we live. Our lives can become stagnant because we are set in our ways which keeps us from receiving the fresh ideas and living water God wants to give us. https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/4-14.html Like a pond, we have to have an outlet to get rid of the stuff that holds us back from being a better version of ourselves so God has room to intervene and make us better.

Easter gives us that outlet. It comes in two ways. Confession and Forgiveness. 1 John 1;9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This becomes the outlet that takes away the toxicity from our hearts. Forgiveness does the same thing. Buddha says it this way, ““Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” That is why Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s prayer to ask God for forgiveness and then do the same thing to others.

So let’s remember that Easter is not just a one Sunday deal but an event that happened which changed the world forever. Let knowing God sent His Son to die be the living water that brings hope to your life every day. How awesome is it that gives us the outlet through confession and forgiveness to let go of the old so that we can be continually be refreshed and molded into the people for which God created us.

I so appreciate you reading this blog. If you haven’t already, please subscribe so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at [email protected]

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It is Holy Week. God wants to be in a relationship with us

How is your Prayer life? If you are like me, you wish it would be better. Tim Keller writes in his book, Prayer https://timothykeller.com/books/prayer, that it should be like the medication you take daily to make sure you remain healthy. You know it is important and therefore, you try never to take the pills. Prayer should be the same way. Taking the time to pray daily helps us live our lives in the way in which God intended. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it brings us into a relationship with our Father. Craig Denison describes it this way. “”If you ask for a deeper friendship with the Holy Spirit, you will find he is the best friend you have ever known. This is because “friendship with the Spirit is like any other friendship in that it develops over time. Like a new friend, you must get to know his character and personality. Spend time just talking with him, listening to him and allowing him to work in your heart and life. Prayer is your gateway to experiencing the things of God. Walk in relationship with him, follow his guidance, and make a new best friend in the Holy Spirit.”

For the regular readers of this blog, you know I wrote about having the proper “swing thoughts” as we go through our days. The Masters was this week. I read two different stories that helped me think about why we might find it hard to pray regularly.

The first was about someone who caddied for someone who was playing in the same group with Tiger Woods. When he found out that this was happening, his first thought was, “what will I say to him if I get a chance?” He didn’t want to say something stupid. He wondered if Tiger would even acknowledge him. This is true for many of us when trying to pray effectively. “What is it God wants for me to say to Him?” “Does He even care what is going on in my life?” This Holy Week answers that question. He sent His Son to die for us BECAUSE He wants to be in a relationship with Him. That relationship allows us to communicate with Him. Like Craig Denison shared, “Prayer allows us to develop a stronger friendship with God so that can develop the the proper “swing thoughts” on how to live.

The second story was about the Scottie Sheffler who won The Masters even though he four putted the 18th hole. It solidified his #1 ranking in the world but Jim Denison shared this interesting fact. “Before Scheffler could win the tournament, he had to do something very important a few months ago: RSVP to his invitation to play. According to the New York Times, Augusta National sends invitations each year to golfers it wishes to invite to the tournament. They must signal their intention to play before they are permitted to compete.”

Want to be better about praying? Like Scottie Scheffler, You must first signal your intention to receive the gift God has for you. https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/idolchatter/2022/04/masters-champion-scottie-scheffler-says-he-plays-golf-to-glorify-god.html He has invited you to be in relationship with Him. Your first prayer needs to be, “Thank you Lord for giving the opportunity to communicate with You.” Then know it doesn’t matter what we say as long as it is sincere and honest because He really does care what is going on in your life. One prayer will lead to another and your faith will become stronger as you watch those prayers being answered. Why not make this Holy Week a significant moment in our life? Where you began to pray regularly with the proper swing thoughts allowing you to see life from God’s perspective. Close your eyes. Let your swing thoughts be Seeing (Visualize) it, Feeling the Love He has for you, and then being free to let yourself trust Him for the outcome versus trying to do it all on your own.

Happy Easter week everyone. For those of your in Charlottesville, join us for an Easter Sunrise Service in the UVA Amphitheater. We will be there from 6:45 am to 8:00 am. Please subscribe to this blog if you want email notifications for when new content is posted. I can be reached via email at [email protected]

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How Significant Moments propel our lives forward

Have you ever had a “Burning Bush” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203&version=NIV experience? I am guessing your answer is no but if you think about it, I am also guessing you have had your own “holy/significant moments”. I am reading through Exodus right now with some friends and wrote this prayer after reading about Moses’ burning bush encounter with God. “Lord you are my refuge and my foundation. You are my encourager and my strength. Let me step forward like Moses saying, “Here I am! The question then remains, “how do I have the courage and confidence to go where He wants me to go?”

The story in Exodus confirmed what I wanted to write about this week. I hope to encourage you to think back to those significant moments that changed the direction of your life. The snake turning into a staff and the arm healed of leprosy allowed Moses to be reminded that God is with Him no matter where he goes. The wonderful book, “Hinds feet in High places” by Hannah Hurnard, teaches us how to look back so we can be encouraged to move forward. It is the story of how Much-Afraid escaped from her Fearing relatives and went with the Shepherd to the High Places where “perfect love casteth out fear.” She does it by keeping pebbles in a satchel to remind her of the times the Shepherd helped her when she wanted to turn back.

What pebbles do you have in your satchel? If you have never done it before, take some time to look back on your life. When you do, you will see that you persevered in those moments which makes it easier the next time a big decision needs to be made or you are going through a hard time. For me, like recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, it strengthens my faith. Remembering those past moments allows me to have an even stronger faith that God is with me and will walk me the most difficult of times.

My son and I are golfers. We were talking the other day about how to handle a tough conversation. He shared with me the concept of “swing thoughts”. You see in golf as Dave Cook writes in the book, Sacred Journey, https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Days-Utopia-Sacred-Journey/dp/0310335493 , visualizing allows your brain to prepare the proper swing thoughts so you can hit the right shot.. Dave shares we must “See it, Feel it, Trust it”. If I can see the shot, feel the swing I need, I can then trust that I will hit the ball properly. The same concept can be used in our lives as we look back on the significant moments. If we have the proper swing thoughts, we can make sure we say the rights things, not overact or get defensive, or maybe even forgive someone who has done your harm. Looking back and seeing that you made it through other tough situations will help propel you confidently into the next one. The confidence comes from having the right swing thoughts where you reach in your mental pocket and pull out the pebble reminding you that you will get through whatever challenges you next. It may not be as cool as a burning bush, but I can assure you God is there encouraging onward toward being the best version of you.

Thanks for joining me on this #thankfulinallthings journey. Please subscribe to the blog so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. I would love to hear how what I write is encouraging you. I can be reached by email at [email protected]

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Sometimes, it is better to just listen

It has been a wild week. So many things coming at me from so many different directions. God spoke to me in such amazing ways through scripture and via folks much smarter and stronger in their faith than me. Each one came just at the right time. They lifted me up and helped me navigate the challenges and stressful situations that were on my calendar. I share them with you hoping that they will help you in the same way they helped me.

Henri Nouwen wrote: “I really want to encourage you not to despair, not to lose faith, not to let go of God in your life, but stand in your suffering as a person who believes that she is deeply loved by God. When you look inside yourself, you might sometimes be overwhelmed by all the brokenness and confusion, but when you look outside toward him who died on the cross for you, you might suddenly realize that your brokenness has been lived through for you long before you touched it yourself.”

David wrote Psalms 3 after he ran away when Absalom declared himself King. It is appropriated called the morning song. https://www.easyenglish.bible/psalms/psalm003-taw.htm “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, God will not deliver him. But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.”

Isaiah 55:9-11 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it”

If you have taken the time to read what came my way this week, I hope you too will go into this coming week knowing God is with you and meets you no matter what circumstances your facing. To face these extremely challenging times, you first need to know who you are and where your identity lies. My identity is in Christ and the way Carol Wimmer describes what that means is how I will end this week’s blog.

“I am a Christian”

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin.”
I’m whispering “I was lost,”
Now I’m found and forgiven.

When I say…”I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace, somehow.”

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The power in learning how to wait

Like Advent, Lent is another season where we are taught to wait. This blog originated after my recovery from Guillain Barre Syndrome. GBS paralyzed me from my head down. March 17th marked three years since my arms went back over my head. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie
“We will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith when we recognize the ways in which God is operating. These glimpses of His handiwork will motivate us to stay the course and help us maintain a godly perspective on life.” This Charles Stanley’s quote reminded me of the fact that God has made many wait until they were ready for what He had for them to do. Sarah, Moses, Noah, Esther, Ruth, John the Baptist, Paul and yes, even Jesus, all were made to wait. Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill lost elections before being raised up to do great things. We remember that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead but forget that his sisters, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother needed His help, but Christ delayed before traveling to their home (John 11:3-6).

As we wait over these next four weeks to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, ask yourself, ”for what are you waiting?” Have you made a request to God that hasn’t been answered? Are you asking for relief from some type of adversity? Change your question to, ”what is it that you are preparing for me? What do I need to be doing to be ready for the task ahead?” It really is a matter of perspective. No wonder they say ”patience is a virtue” https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/patience-is-a-virtue.html

The season of Lent is a time for personal reflection. If you are facing what seems like a dead end, why not take the time to stop and check out what is around you. Like the Israelites in the desert, what might look like the end, may just be a bend in the road that though longer, will take you where you are meant to go. As Charles Stanley shared, no matter what challenges we face, ”we are to stay the course with the proper perspective”

Please subscribe to this blog to receive email notifications when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at [email protected]