2020: CHERISH THE DAY

Hi There!

I pray your weekend has gone well

And hope you are enjoying a relaxing evening –

My weekend has been one of rest and relaxation.

I watched the conclusion of one of the most interesting series I have watched in a while.

It is a Korean drama, simply entitled, Chocolate

Now – I am not generally a crier [not for movies anyway]

However – this show has brought me to tears more times than I can count

But – I love it!

And – it was this show which inspired me to write today

Although – I am trying to work on writing on a more regularly scheduled basis

I still struggle with writing when I do not have something absolutely pressing on my heart

What can I say? That process – and myself in general – are still a work in progress

In any event, and without giving out the end of the show,

I would like to share a quote from the show which grabbed my attention.

The context of the quote is not completely relevant –

                Because the quote has the ability to stand on its own merit

Standing on a beach, with the waves crashing in the background, one of the characters makes this poignant declaration:

“As if today is your last day,
and as if you know that this moment will never return,
cherish  every single moment that comes by ladies and gentlemen.
The day you wasted today –
is the tomorrow that someone who died yesterday so badly wished for.”
~Tae-Hyun

This touched me intensely and immensely.

It touched me because it is all about the value of life.

It touched me because it is something that I am realizing is so vitally important;

It is something that I know I need –

this need to value the days which the LORD blesses me with

It is something where I am developing a keen awareness of the need for – intention.

You see, making the most of each day will not happen by accident.

I must make a choice to focus on the people and things that matter most.

I must make a choice to appreciate the people who the LORD has blessed me with. 

Psalm 90:12 says,

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom’

I know, from scripture, that our life is but a vapor and then we are gone. [James 4:14]

Therefore, each day is a special and precious gift – one which must be protected.

I am learning how to better establish & maintain healthy boundaries –

And, I am finding there a few things I value as much as peace in my life.

Even so – it is all a process – one which I noted earlier is a work in progress.

And, I hope to get in some meaningful practice over the next few days.

I am off work this entire week.

I am taking some time – just for me.

And, I intend to make the most of every day and the opportunities they present.

Spending time with the LORD, spending time with my sons, spending time with my Mom;

Spending time with me and for me –

Writing in my journal, counting my blessings, reflecting on the things that make me smile

I pray that you will make some time as well –

                Time to focus on the people and things which truly matter to you

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us

Therefore, we must live, laugh and love – every opportunity we have

                Counting as blessings the things which make us smile,

                Being a blessing by helping others to find a reason to smile.

I pray you have a blessed evening and an amazing week!

God Bless & Much Love

2020: HE'S FAITHFUL

Hi There!

I pray your weekend has gone well

And hope you are enjoying a relaxing evening –

My weekend has been just what I desired – a time of rest, reflection and relaxation

That is why I would take a quick moment to share something from my devotional this week

Earlier today, I was spending some time with my eldest son

And, I was sharing with him about some thoughts that have been  present lately

I have been thinking about this life-journey – with all of its twists and turns

In all that thinking, I thought about the countless challenges we have faced

And I shared with my son, how thankful I am and how truly blessed we have been

                In spite of all the challenges

There is something about taking the time to TRULY consider how things could have been

Indeed, when most people start to engage in those kinds of thoughts,

                They think about how things could have been better ‘If I only I had …’

During this time of year, it is easy to get caught reflecting … but not in a good way

Well this weekend, I have been reflecting on the blessings of the LORD

I look at my sons – and I say ‘I am blessed’

I stand on my feet in the morning – and I say ‘I am blessed’

I lie my head down at night under the roof of my home – and I say ‘I am blessed’

Please do not misunderstand, things are not perfect - not by any stretch of the imagination

I could focus on the negative and difficult situations

However, I choose not to focus and dwell upon those things

I choose instead to focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Even as I wait …

Even as I work toward and eagerly await the manifestation of many things –

some things I have been believing for a while –  

I am confident because I have His promise.

Yes, I can boldly proclaim like David:

‘I rejoice in Your promise as one who finds great spoil’ Psalm 119:162

The New Living Translation says, ‘I rejoice in Your word like one who finds great treasure’

I rejoice in His promise –

Because His word is better than a treasure chest filled with gold

Because His word is richer than a mine filled with diamonds

It never diminishes and value and can never be stolen away.

‘God is not a man that He should lie, not a human being that He should change His mind? Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?’ Numbers 23:19

His entire reputation rests on His faithfulness to His word, on the truth of His word

As such, ‘He esteems His Word above His Name’ [Ps. 138:2]

And we know there is not a single word that proceeds from His mouth that returns void;

No, it goes forth and accomplishes that for which it was sent [Is. 55:11]

Be encouraged tonight –

If you have a promise from the LORD, you already have everything you need

When He freely and generously promises, He is guaranteed to faithfully fulfill the same

HE IS SUCH A FAITHFUL GOD & A LOVING FATHER

HE’S GOT THIS … AND HE’S GOT YOU!

Have a Blessed Evening &

A Fabulous Week!

2020: STILL ABLE

Good Evening Friends

I pray your day went well today –

We have made it past the middle of the week [since it is the end of the day]

We are also officially and exactly one week into the New Year

Yes – just like that!

This is why it is so important to make the most of every moment;

Because the moments pass quickly.

I have no catchy phrases for 2020 –

No play on words or phrases or promises that 2020 will be a year of perfection

That would be unrealistic and an insult to your intelligence

In life, there is no such thing as perfect

LIFE IS PERFECTLY IMPERFECT!

But there is One who is perfect

One of the first verses I read at the start of this new year was Ephesians 3:20,

‘Now to Him who is able ….’

And – while I read the entire verse,

In reality, we can stop right there

HE IS ABLE

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of that truth

Indeed, there may be times throughout this year when you will need to remind yourself

HE IS ABLE

I know it is easier said than done

I mean, we are only seven days in with this new year, and we already have:

-         The earth shaking & quaking  in Puerto Rico

-         Missiles soaring in the Middle East

-         Australia still ablaze

-         Violence still occurring at an alarming rate

-         Needs ever-present

It is enough to discourage someone –

At time when we should be filled with expectation,

With the hope of a clean start and new beginning that a new year brings

In fact I spoke to a friend on Saturday who advised,

‘I have not been this depressed since …’

That person went on to tell of a time when they were absolutely overwhelmed.

And while I understood their perspective,

And while I did not in any way desire to minimize their challenge,

I would not have been a friend if I did not seize the opportunity to remind them:

The same God who pulled you through the last time you were ‘in this place’,

He is the same God who is present and working on your behalf today.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever more.

Nothing you are experiencing has caught Him by surprise.

And, His ability to rescue you has not diminished in the slightest degree.

HE IS ABLE

HE IS ABLE & HE IS FAITHFUL

I do not testify to His ability from a place of fun and fancy;

I do not encourage you from a throne of thoughts and theory

No – I boldly proclaim His ability from a place of fire & fury,

A place where my faith has been [and continues to be] forged in the flames

AND STILL –

I know Him to be a faithful God,

I know this … not intellectually but experientially

AND I KNOW FULL WELL –

Whatever 2020 brings, we must walk through it by faith and not by sight [II Cor. 5:7]

This is why I am confident that 2020 is going to be a year of – VISION, VALUES & VICTORY

The entirety of that verse in Ephesians reads:

‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’

GOD IS ON THE THRONE

GOD IS IN CONTROL & HE CARES FOR EVERY SINGLE THING THAT CONCERNS YOU

Have a Blessed Evening!

2020: NEW, NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Good Morning

Happy Saturday – the first Saturday of this New Year

I pray your new year is off to a great start

There are statistic out there that note –

80% of New Year’s Resolutions FAIL BY FEBRUARY

Less than 25% of individuals stick with New Year’s Resolutions Past 30 Days

Only 8-10% fulfill their New Year’s Resolutions

AND –

There is a less known, less publicized reality

that some New Year’s Resolutions fail within three days

Who wants to own that – much less talk about it?

Which brings us to TODAY

It brings us to our focus on a NEW, NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

Webster’s defines RESOLUTION as: process of resolving, firmness of purpose, statement of the opinion, will, or intent of a body

YET –

As far as I can recall, resolutions [and specifically New Year’s Resolutions] have been associated with stopping certain behaviors and adopting new practice and habits.

HOWEVER –

A resolution, a resolve, a firmness of purpose, a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner does not have to focus on removing something negative. It can center on maintaining & increasing something positive.

If you placed your trust in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE TRUSTING IN THE LORD IN 2020

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” Jeremiah 17:7

If you hoped in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE HOPING IN THE LORD IN 2020

“For You, O LORD are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth” Psalm 71:5

If you found strength in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE RELYING ON THAT STRENGTH IN THE LORD IN 2020

“ Those who trust in the LORD, will renew their strength; they shall rise up on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

AND REMEMBER –

Whatever your focus, whatever the resolution,

Keep in mind that ‘His mercies are new every morning’ Lamentation 3:22-23

This means that you can keep moving forward no matter what comes your way.

Happy New Year … Again!

Praying You Have a Blessed Day

     & Restful Weekend

2020: New Day ... New Year

Happy New Year!

What a blessing it is to see a another year arrive…

And I am filled with a confident expectation this year –

            For myself  for all of you,

            That it will be a year of peace and prosperity

My prayer for you this New Year –

      Is that the blessings of the Lord abound all throughout 2020

May your steps be made sure everywhere this year takes you

May the Lord place a hedge of protection around you

May your heart be filled with joy

May your home be filled with peace

May your year be filled with precious moments

with the people you love - and those who love you back

Happy New Year & God Bless