Author: mrgblog

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Martin Luther King’s life should motivate us to serve others

We celebrated Martin Luther King Day Monday on his actual birthday.  His life, although flawed like the rest of ours, showed that He loved God and wanted to exhibit the fruit of His spirit noted in Galatians 5 https://biblehub.com/galatians/5-22.htm.  For those of you who didn’t read my last blog post, https://thankfulinallthings.com/my-thoughts-on-how-i-will-grow-in-2024/ I share that this verse will be a focus for me as I try to live out my One Word for 2024 prayer. Here is what I wrote a couple of years ago on how we can be motivated to live better lives with a heart of service.  
On this day do you remember? There is a reason that Dion’s song, “Does anyone here” https://youtu.be/a5hFMy4pTrs remains one of my favorites. When we fret about where our world is today, look back. I was 11 when JFK was killed and 16 when Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were also assassinated. It was a very divisive and scary time. My question on this MLK Day is not do we remember these men, but in our remembrance, how does it motivate us to be better men and women?In preparation for the MLK King Day in 2022, I had the privilege of helping our local newspaper find people to share their thoughts on what Martin Luther King’s life meant to them. Here is the link should be interested in what was written https://dailyprogress.com/specialty_publications/page-s01/page_ae2d0e53-5094-53ca-9d82-7d42579185d9.html Dr. King lived a life that left a legacy for all to follow. It causes us as Jeff Burton writes, to “ask ourselves, how is it today that I can act; what can I do to leave this place better than I found it; to do our small part to inspire others for good” Nathan Walton, in the publication noted above, asks, “What story are we telling?…..This day gives us an opportunity to tell a new story for our own moment” As we look back this MLK quote should help to move us forward.  “We have come a long, long way but we still have a long, long way to go.”Former City of Promise ED, Mary Coleman writes that our story needs to be one where we have learned from the past so we can be exhorted to help make a brighter future. She asks, “Where do we go from here? Will we choose chaos or community in a unified manner that King describes as persevering togetherness.” Yes! There is my 2022 Word. Unity. Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward YES! We can be motivated by others to make our story one that sets an example for those around us. It can be a story line that causes Breakthrough by lifting up others and like MLK, motivating them to pursue peace while making a positive difference in the world versus creating divisiveness and selfishly ignoring those who need our help. Dr King was in no way a perfect man. But he was a man who believed he was redeemed by His Creator and called into a work that would ultimately cost him his life. This gives me hope as I hope it will you. It teaches nothing is impossible for those who love God. Luke 1:37 promises us “that we have the privilege of serving a God who can literally do anything, and there is nothing that is impossible for him.Therefore let us strive to live out the beatitudes noted in Matthew 5:1-12Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you..Like Dr King, When we live our life this way, we will leave our personal legacy that others will continue because of the way you motivated them.Please subscribe to this blog so you can receive an email notification when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at [email protected]
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My thoughts on how I will grow in 2024.

It is that time of year.  We watch another year disappear and ponder on what the new year will bring.  We think about things we didn’t achieve in 2023 and commit to being better about it in 2024.  All of us focus on how we can make ourselves better people our regarding health, relationships, or in our work lives.  Let me share with you how I plan to go about it this year.  That way, you all can hold me accountable as the year progresses because we all need to encourage each other.  https://thankfulinallthings.com/jesus-sent-folks-out-in-pairs-for-a-reason  Jodie Berndt writes, How we walk through life together—for better, for worse—comes with the power to influence our communities, our churches, and our children, including future generations.” https://www.denisonforum.org/popular-culture/book-reviews-excerpts/praying-the-scriptures-for-your-marriage-excerpt-jodie-berndt/

Like a good presbyterian, I am going to focus on three ways I hope will make 2024 a year where when I look back, I can say that my life was changed and therefore, like Jodie, I helped positive difference in the world around me.  I encourage you to consider one word on which to focus and build your year around.  Here is the link to use if you have never done it before.  https://getoneword.com/  As I went through this exercise, two words, Content and Prayer, rose top of mind.

In the end, I chose Prayer because I want to have a more consistent and strategic prayer life allowing me to draw closer so I can better understand what the Lord’s will is for my life.  If I am successful, I am pretty sure contentment will occur as well.

Secondly, I will memorize and regularly meditate on https://biblehub.com/galatians/5-22.htm with the intent of impacting others with the Fruit of the Spirit listed as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  If these characteristics can be made evident in my life, others will hopefully see that God is taking more and more control of my life. These fruits will be produced because I choose to honor Him in all that I do.

Finally, my goal is to visually put on the armor of God https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.6.10-18.niv so that along with my focus on prayer, I can become strong in the Lord and experience His might power so that I might stand firm when adversity comes my way. Each morning I hope to I will mentally buckle the belt of truth around my waist and make sure God’s breastplate of righteousness is in place.  I will make sure my feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace and that I don’t forget my shield of faith and helmet of salvation.  I will pray for the Spirit to produce the above mentioned fruit and use God’s Word as my sword when I encounter those who want to question the reality of my faith.

My hope is that my 2024 One Word PRAYER results in a bushel full of spiritual fruit being produced in my life.  I will go out mentally dressed in the armor God has given me. If I do all three, 2024 will be one that I draw closer to the Lord allowing me to experience the abundant life I have promised.  My prayer is that you too, will seek to find your own way in 2024 to pursue the One who wants the very best for you.  

Happy New Year to you! Thanks for reading my blog. I would love to hear from you. My email is [email protected] Please subscribe if you haven’t already so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.

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Jesus sent folks out in pairs for a reason.


If you want to go fast, Go alone, if you want to go far, Go Together! 
Dottie and I have been at it 45 years now 🙂

I remembered this blog post as I have been recovering from a minor medical procedure.  I am happy it is over and look forward to my recovery.  There is a reason Jesus sent the disciples out in two’s. Why? Because even though they could have gotten to more places alone, there is power in sharing in the things that come our way, This week I have once again experienced the added impact when two or more people work together toward a shared goal. https://depree.org/why-did-jesus-send-out-his-disciples-two-by-two/  In this case encouraging, praying and checking in on me and Dottie to make sure we are OK.  Needless to say, Dottie has again, gone above and beyond in helping and making sure I have everything I need
We all need others in our lives. Jenni Marie in Kindred Grace shares that Life was not meant to be lived alone.  https://bit.ly/lifeisnotmeanttobelivedalone She asks, “When did you last give up? Were you also alone?” When you have failed in life, were you alone?” She then makes the case of why being a mentor or having one is so important. God wants us to know the value of asking for help versus stubbornly trying to do things on our own. She writes, “As I started to value community, I was able to flourish. I reap the benefits when I ask for help.” When we are blessed to have people there for us, we are exhorted to be the one offering help to someone in need. Jenni shares it “does not need to be limited to a mentor-mentee relationship as might be traditionally expected. Although the formal and in-person relationships are beautiful, only one of my advisors has accepted and embraced the title of mentor. The rest? I doubt they even know how much I lean on them for life and business wisdom.” Even the Apostle Paul needed a Barnabus. https://www.biblestudy.org/apostlepaul/life-epistles-of-apostle-paul/paul-and-barnabas.html He also mentored younger men like Timothy and Timothy would eventually become pastor of the church at Ephesus, and certainly the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy express how much Paul loved and cared for him.
 
Last year my daughter shared advice with me that was the impetus for me writing this blog. A friend told her to surround herself with people she could trust from every decade. I turned 70 this month (now 71) so it is harder to find folks in higher decades than me but as I thought about Katie’s comment, I realized that I am blessed to have dear friends in their upper 70’s :), 80’s, and 90’s who I can go to for advice or just follow the example they set for me and others. I also can say I have people around me from every decade below me down to my two 4 year old granddaughters. I can learn from them and I hope all in their teens, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc will be encouraged by what I say or how I live my life that helps them along the way.I encourage each of us to find people whether younger or older who we can trust to be there for us. I also hope we will look for ways to give back by finding others who would benefit from your mentoring. When you pour into their lives, like this week, they will pour into your life like they folks have done for me.  .
We are fortunate that we don’t have to long for a Savior that is represented in this Season of Advent. Jesus came so substantiate God is with you and therefore, you are never alone. Isn’t it interesting that we lean in on this promise more when we are hurting https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-5.htm Reminds us that God’s promises are eternal, and He will provide love, comfort, and courage so we can live an abundant life in Him and through Him. We live in a fallen world where we are bound to get hurt. But God will never leave us nor forsake us. One of the ways He fulfills this promise is by providing others to walk along side us as we navigate through the blessings and adversity that will come our way. May we all find ways to help others remain thankful in all things.Thanks for finding this blog. If you haven’t already, Please subscribe so that you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. You can reach me by email at [email protected]
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Thanksgiving encouragement. Change the noun Gratitude into a Verb :)

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Make the word Gratitude a verb this week 🙂

My guess you aren’t surprised that a blog titled “Thankful in all Things” would be about moving us forward into this week of Thanksgiving. The word “intentionality” keeps rolling around in my mind. When I think about being intentional, it means there is a need for me taking action. Having an attitude of gratitude denotes the same.
My friend Marcus Ellis has a Facebook page titled “Hey! Guess What? I Love You!” It started with him making a decision to go out of his way to encourage others each and every day. His decision has resulted in a Facebook page with over 2500 followers. I am sitting in a hotel in Pittsburgh. I decided to let my server (Rutha May) know how she made everyone who came in feel special. Her face lit up and she now has a little bit bigger smile for those she serves. Maybe Marcus is in to something ?

I recently found this quote by Veronica Neffinger -“There is value in going through the motions even if the feelings aren’t there. Choosing to thank God even when you don’t feel like it. Choose to do the same when circumstances cause you to be more stressed than thankful” It leads to that important first step of allowing having our hearts to be opened to true gratitude.” I call it failing forward.

My point is that being grateful is a choice. The Aspen Brain Institute says it this way. “The effect of gratitude on the brain is long lasting. Besides enhancing self-love and empathy, gratitude significantly impacts body functions and psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. https://aspenbraininstitute.org/blog-posts/gratitudeandthebrain Scripture reminds us of the same. We are to in prayer and petition let our requests be made known to God (again, the action is going to God with our concerns). When we do, He promises a peace which is beyond our own understanding. Philippians 4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:6-8&version=NIV “Let that peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 As you gather with others this week for Thanksgiving be intentional about sharing your gratitude for them. Let them know why you appreciate them. Try what Marcus does and say, “Hey! Guess what? I love You! I bet you get loved right back and find yourself feeling blessed rather than discouraged.

Please subscribe to this blog to receive email notifications when new content is posted. Please also share it with others who you feel might be encouraged by it. You can reach me by email at [email protected]

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How will you live knowing you are an heir to the Kingdom of God?

In a world where there seems to be less and less good news, here is some for you.  God loves us!  He loves us so much that He wants us to be an heir to His Kingdom. https://www.biblehub.com/romans/8-17.htmHe has chosen us and has made us His adopted sons and daughters. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.1.12-13.kjv It is a gift that He offers each of us.  All we need to do is accept it.  

This may be a stretch but imagine you live in the United Kingdom under the rule of the Royal family.  One day, there is a knock on your door and there stands a uniformed member of the King’s Guard.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Guard  He hands you a letter sealed with wax which has in it the King’s seal.  https://www.royal.uk/great-seal-realm  All you need to do is come to Buckingham Palace to be received into the Royal family.  You know you have done nothing to deserve it and think there has to be a catch.  The question is, “would you then live this new life with a heart of gratitude or treat people in a privileged manner”? If it happened, you would want to live in a manner that substantiates the King made a good choice and that you do anything to show you belong. 

The same can be said but from an eternal perspective.  God has chosen you to be His adopted son or daughter.  We have been invited into His family with no strings attached.  You have done nothing to deserve it, cannot earn it, and therefore, many of us think there must be a catch as it seems way to simple. I think our response to God allowing us to be heirs to His Kingdom family can help explain the “faith and work” passage found in James 2:14-26 https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.14-26.niv  If we truly understand what God has done for us through His son Jesus Christ, we should want to show our gratitude in the way we humbly live out being a Kingdom recipient. It should result in the way we care for others.  Therefore, living a Godly life is not what we have to do but what we get to do to honor the One who has made it all possible. 

I am guessing that King Charles will never show up at your door with an invitation to be adopted into the Royal family.  What I do know is God has sent His Son to invite you into His Kingdom family.  Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”  Revelation 3:20  Once you open that door to your heart, your life and the way you live it will never be the same. 

I appreciate you being here.  Please subscribe if you haven’t already.  I can be reached via email at [email protected]  
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Where does the time go? How much does God get?


Luke 5:15-16 says, “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. ”Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
Why do we find getting time with the Lord so hard?  The scriptures above, along with others, show that Jesus knew the importance of spending time alone with His Father, our God.  I have stepped down from my day-to-day responsibilities at work leaving me more free time.  These first few free months have been great.  I have had the opportunity to travel more to see friends and family which has been wonderful.  My daily schedule is now a blank slate to be filled in whatever way I desire.  But wait….Why do I still feel so busy? How does my calendar get filled so quickly?  The answer is life’s vacuum can quickly replace the extra time one thinks will be available when our job responsibility ends. 

A Vacuum is defined as space in which there is no matter or in which the pressure is so low that any particles in the space do not affect any processes being carried on there. Solitude could be seen in the same way. We need to get away by ourselves like Jesus did.  It allows us to shut out the pressures and distractions of the world so we can “Be still and remember He is our God” https://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/46-10.htm “The entirety of Psalms 46 is written in the third person to remind the reader (or listener) that God is their strength and at work in the midst of their struggle”. I heard someone explain meditation the other day as being so much in tune with yourself that you aren’t distracted by anything else happening around you.  It reminded me that I need to get time with God so I don’t conform to the pattern of this world, but instead, focus on the renewing of your mind. https://www.biblehub.com/romans/12-1.htm  I can honestly say that my day goes better if I have 1st, spent time with God.  If you don’t believe me, here is what Martin Luther says about solitude.  “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” “The less I pray, the harder it gets; the more I pray, the better it goes.”


There are times where we are struggling and feeling discouraged.  Remembering God loves you and is present in your life can help you into a place of gratitude.  Here is a quote from the devotional First15 “If you long to be loved, it’s in the alone time where you’ll discover the wellspring of affections found in the heart of God. If you need someone to listen, it’s in solitude you’ll discover the always listening ear of your heavenly Father. And if you need a friend, it’s in time spent alone fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit that you will find a friend who will never leave you, forsake you, hurt you, or mislead you.”

If you have gotten to this place, here is your and, quite honestly, my homework from St. Anselm of Canterbury, “Enter into the inner chamber of your mind. Shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him.” My hope is you will find the everlasting love of God as you seek him in solitude.

If you do the homework, I would love to hear how practicing solitude and reneimpacted your life.  I can be reached by email at [email protected].  Please feel free to forward this blog post to others who you think might be encouraged by it.  
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Understanding your Vocation and Calling

 Our pastors have been preaching through Genesis this fall.  These sermons remind us that God intended for work to be good.  “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15.  It made me think of my own life and whether I have been living it as if it was a calling from God.  In one sermon, Chris shared that we are called to work and that we are to work hard with the hope of being blessed. God’s programming short circuits when we think blessings means wealth or we look for our identity in what we do instead of finding it knowing that we were created to be in a relationship with Him. 


I have written in the past about the book, Finishing Well, by Bob Buford.  A group of us are nearing the end of the book and are grappling with the words vocation and calling. These sermons came at a perfect time.  It confirms that even though we might not be called into full-time ministry, God has a calling for our lives no matter our vocation. In the book, the author talks about men like Billy Graham and Peter Drucker.  Reverend Graham https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Grahamwas certainly called into the ministry while Peter Druckerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Drucker taught business principles and was described as “the founder of modern management”.  When Bob Buford asked ServiceMaster founder Bill Pollard why Rev. Graham and Peter Drucker are his role models he replied, “The main thing is that they’ve done work all their lives that for them, wasn’t work at all. The commitment was to serve God and passionately serve others using the gifts God had given them.

Most of you reading this blog have not been called into full time ministry.  You have chosen some other type of vocation.  That does not mean you don’t have a calling.  It may be doing your job in a way that shows others your ultimate boss is the God of the universe not the pursuit of what the world wants you think is most important.  You choose to work hard and achieve success without compromising on how God wants you behave in your occupation. Others of you pursue your calling outside your job.  You participate in your church, serve in your community, or spend time in ministry efforts in your free time.  


At the end of the day, I hope your goal is to have your time here on earth mean something.  That while pursuing success, you stay focused on the significance your life will leave. That significance will go beyond whatever work you have been called into and will allow you to continue to make a difference after you leave the day to day work place.  We can’t all be Billy Graham but rest assured, when you allow the love of God to flow out of you onto others, the ripple effect of that act will spread out much farther than you can ever imagine. What is our calling?  Hebrews 12;1,2 states it this way.  “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  

Thanks for reading along.  I hope this has encouraged you in your faith journey.  I can be reached by email at [email protected]  God Bless!
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What would your letter from Christ say about you?


John 7:38 https://biblehub.com/john/7-38.htm says,we are to be people where God’s love produces living water that pours through allowing us to positively impact others. 2 Corinthians 3:2,3 says, “Our lives are a letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of God’s impact, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
When I read these passages, I realize God wants me to be so filled with His love, that others can’t help but notice it.  Think about being on a busy sidewalk in front of shops and restaurants filled with other passers by as well as tables filled with engaged in conversation.  Someone comes up with two buckets filled with cold water.  They challenge you to walk a block with the buckets without spilling any water much less splashing those you encounter.  It is impossible.  Even if you didn’t bump someone, a chair, or a table, the water would begin to splash out of the bucket onto others no matter how hard you tried.  This is what God says our lives should look like. We are to be so filled with His love that others can’t help but notice your love for them in how you speak or act toward them. 


A regular contributor to this blog 🙂 Oswald Chambers, puts it this way. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all. I https://utmost.org/a-life-of-pure-and-holy-sacrifice/  The question for us is our we willing to open our hearts so God can fill us with His living water?

If we are, we can be God’s ambassadors who convey the message that we are to live by faith, not by sight https://www.biblehub.com/2_corinthians/5-7.htm with the hope for what is to come. He has fashioned us for this very purpose and has made it possible through the death of Christ and His Holy Spirit who comes as our helper.  Our response needs to be, I am so thirsty for that living water.  I no longer want the temporary refreshment that the world offers but instead the everlasting quenching that only a relationship with God can provide.  Once we allow the living water to spill into our hearts, we become new creations and our heart becomes so full that it can’t help to burst out like when a grape is squeezed or we try to carry the buckets down a busy sidewalk.  Like a mirror, our lives will reflect the love and glory of God allowing us to be the ambassadors who convey the life God want us all to live.

Thanks for finding this blog.  I hope you have found encouragement from what I have shared.  Please reach out by email at [email protected] I would love to have you subscribe if you haven’t already.  
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The importance of getting to know one another.

Author of Lead for God’s Sake and friend, Todd Gongwer, posted this the other day.  
Most everything we
do brings with it an opportunity to shine a light!
Every word we speak
Every attitude we display
Every behavior we model
Never underestimate this call on your life!
So…..”Let your light so shine before others, that they see your good works and glorify your father in heaven”
Matt. 5:16

His words took me down two paths.  1) Everything we do matters and will have an impact on those around us and we are responsible as to whether the impact will be positive or negative. 2) Are we willing to take the time to really get to know those who matter most so we can make a difference in each other’s lives?
Both paths ask the question, “Will we live in a selfish manner or be people who want to shine a positive light in our actions and desire to know one another well?” I shared about the beauty of being unselfish in a recent blog post.  https://thankfulinallthings.com/the-beauty-of-being-unselfish/  It focuses on the 1st question and easier accomplished matter regarding what we do when given the opportunity to shine a light.  I hope you will take the time to go back and read it.  This children song certainly conveys the mindset we all should
have. https://youtu.be/yRhDi2aK5ac


The second question is more perplexing.  Why do we find it so hard to engage folks, especially those closest to us, in more serious conversation?   We talked about this in a fellowship group I lead on Friday mornings.  I found that it was not just me that struggled in this area.  Everyone said they found it easier to have an in depth conversation with those who weren’t friends or family members. Shouldn’t it be the exact opposite?  Why wouldn’t we want those who are closest to us to know who we are and what matters to us most?  Shouldn’t we find ways and create opportunities for others to share what is important to them?  
I have more questions versus answers as to what causes this dilemma but here are some tips from me and others I have asked. 
Build the relationship first. Don’t force your thoughts or advice on someone.   
Wait until you are asked to weigh in on a particular topic or if you feel you need to initiate it, ask permission first.   
Ask Wopen questions in the conversation (What, Whow, Where, When) that can’t be answered with just yes or no.
Communicate your desire to have someone speak into your life as well as you speaking into theirs.  

It really is about seeking to understand and having a desire to be understood. As I think about finishing my life well, I want God’s light to shine through me in a way that I will be remembered as someone who truly cares about others and is open to being shown my flaws.  That way, I can say, 
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day”  2 Timothy 4:7-8

I hope in some way this blog will encourage you to ask the Lord to do the same for you.  I would welcome your thoughts on this topic.  I can be reached by email at [email protected]  

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How would your life change, if you went All In with God?


Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, through your footprints were not seen.  Psalms 77:19 

A sermon a few weeks back began a journey of me asking, what does it mean to be entirely God’s?  The Israelites walked toward the sea not knowing it would open up for them.  They walked through the sea not knowing if the huge wall would come crashing down like they did on the pharaoh’s army.  They did it out of obedience and trust not knowing it would lead them to the promised land. 


For the last few years, my guiding thought process is “Love God with all my heart, Love others as He loves me, and then trust Him with the outcome.”  But do I?  Am I All In?  Would I take the path through the sea or like when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, would I plunge into the sea.” John 21:7 Am I willing to call upon the Lord who strengthens me.  https://youtu.be/DqlpyrHB_Qk
Why can’t we believe Jesus when he says that He came to give us an abundant life?  John 10:10 Why is it that we want to control how we live our lives versus letting go so God can show us how life is really to be lived?  In the Lord’s prayer, it says, “Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done! On earth as it is in heaven.  We have the opportunity to experience His kingdom in this present age. CS Lewis describes it this way “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. We are like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”Lysa Terkeurst writes, “God wants us to settle some things in our hearts. Especially whether we are all-in when it comes to our relationship with Him. Do we want to walk in the fullness of His love and His plans? Or like CS Lewis asks, do we want to spend our lives chasing after the world’s empty pleasures? https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/09/23/god-wants-our-whole-heart  Jesus in John 15:11 tells us that by giving Him our whole heart, “you will be filled with His joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!  It is summer so I will close with this analogy.  Think of yourself at the beach.  You are hot but know the ocean water is cold.  You hesitate to enter the water but once you are in you feel so refreshed.  You can either venture in slowly trying not to let it get above you waist or like Peter did when he recognized Jesus, you can plunge right in avoiding the discomfort of experiencing the cold little by little. Like the little one wanting to jump in the deep end for the first time, take the leap of being All In.  Trust that God will be there each and every time to catch you. Once you do it, you will want to do it again and again.  As I shared earlier, my guiding thought process is “Love God with all my heart, Love others as He loves me, and then trust Him with the outcome.”  My exhortation to you when thinking about giving your all to God is “Come on in, the water is fine!” When you do, out of you will flow living water that only God through the Holy Spirit can provide.  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207:37-39&version=NLT  
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