Waiting For The Right Angle

 Yesterday, I was out mowing the yard.  I really love taking the time to do this, although, I’m sure I look pretty goofy.  I put on headphones so I can listen to music, a mask over my mouth and nose to protect against allergies, my orange sunglasses, and then sound blocking headphones to block out the mower.  Yeah, I’m quite a sight !!

Anyway, as I mow the grass, I take that time to think and pray deeply about things. It takes a little over 2 hours.

We have a lot of trees, so it’s not just a straight line to get the job finished.  I have found that’s much how the Lord leads us in our walk with Him. He doesn’t always take us from point A to B to C and so on and so forth.  Sometimes, we’ll be at point G, He’ll take us to S and then the next thing you know, you’re back at point C again.  That doesn’t mean that we’re doing anything wrong.  It just means that’s the path in which He’s leading us.  He sees things perfectly from eternity, where we can only see things in the moment. (,,, barring any dreams or visions He may have revealed to us.)

As I was mowing one side of the yard, I circled back around and saw a patch of grass on the other side near a tree that I had not had the right angle to get to.  Oddly enough, the angle was perfect this time.  This reminded me of how God works.  His timing is perfect.  Sometimes we are just not in the right angle to do something at one time and later, we’re at the perfect angle to do exactly what we’re called to do.

In the past, people have looked at me and questioned why I wasn’t “doing more” with the gift that God has given me.  Some have even told me that with age, one has to step away from the music ministry, stating; “No one wants an old guy up there leading worship.”  The truth of the matter is that I was doing all that God had called me to do in that moment, and I really don’t care how old I am.  I absolutely would not receive that statement for myself.  After all, Moses was 80 years old when he led the Israelites out of Egypt.  Hallelujah !!  I have clung to that story for years !!

Over the years, I’ve learned not to worry or be affected by what others thought I was or wasn’t doing.(Even though, at times, that’s easier said than done.)  I am the only person who knows what God has called me to do.  I also know that when you ask and believe boldly for God’s will, the more challenging it is to attain that God given dream.  The enemy will fight you all the way when you are on a mission to advance the Kingdom or our great God.  It’s a lie that everything will go swimmingly because you’re a Christian and in God’s will.  God never said it would be easy.  In fact, He allows challenges to strengthen us, grow our faith and trust in Him.

Remember…never give up !!  Don’t listen to others when their goal is to tear you down because you’re not where they think you should be !!  When you feel like you just moved from point S to point C, don’t think of it as a deterrent.  God ordained your steps long before you were even born.  Jeremiah 1:5  Believe it and count it all joy !! James 1:2-3 And, remember that when the right angle comes along, God will move you in that direction !!     

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Today I celebrate the 21^st birthday of my only child !!  What a wonderful journey life has been since his birth.  Today is definitely a milestone in our lives.

Myself…growing up was such a different experience.  I wasn’t raised in a Christian home.  The words, “I love you” were never spoken.  I didn’t even know what love was.  I don’t criticize my parents for this.  It’s just where they were in their journey.  They have had their own obstacles to overcome and I love them deeply.  J

As a teenager I accepted Jesus as my Savior, but it wasn’t until I was almost 25 that I began to have a serious relationship with the Lord.

David and I had been married for 3+ years when Nicholas was born.  I will never forget the moment I held him in my arms for the first time.  Finally…FINALLY…I understood what unconditional love was !!  I had lived a month shy of 27 years on this earth and really had no understanding of what love was.  It was at that very moment that God removed the veil from my eyes and showed me how He loves us… unconditionally !!  I didn’t love Nicholas because of anything he had done…or said…or given me.  I loved him simply because of who he was.  He was my son !!  This is how God love us.  He loves us for who we are…His son / daughter.  He doesn’t love us for what we do / don’t do, what we say / don’t say, how much money we give / don’t give to the church, etc.  He loves us for who we are.

There is such beauty in truly knowing that we are loved unconditionally by God.  It sets us free to be who we were created to be.

God gave His own Son, Jesus, so that He might have a personal relationship with us if we so choose.  He loves us that much.  John 3:16  Do you know that you’re loved today?  

Knowledge For The Spiritual Man...

 Back in the day when Jesus still walked the earth before His death and resurrection, the Pharisees, more often than not, had issue with Him.  They would do anything they could to attempt to “trip Him up,” but they never could.  He was, is and will always be perfect.  The thing about the Pharisees is that they were highly educated men.  They knew the scriptures…but yet…they couldn’t even recognize the Son of God, the One the scriptures foretold.  At one point, Jesus even called them “white washed tombs”…meaning they sure did look good on the outside, but on the inside, they were rotten and disgusting. See Matthew 23:27

Today, my concern in these amazing times of great knowledge is that knowledge, both outside and inside the church, is clouding the vision of our Great and Amazing God.

I have had amazing conversations with folks who have extensive knowledge of the Bible as well as many other books that contribute to the knowledge of the Bible, but yet in their own way, doubt some capabilities of the Holy Spirit… as if the Creator of all things is somehow unable to do certain miracles!!  Now, understand me clearly here…I don’t say this to try to hurt anyone or point fingers at anyone.  I say it because it’s been a subject that’s been on my heart and mind for many, many years.  And…lately it seems that much of the persecution that I’m witnessing is coming not only from outside the Church, but much of it is coming from inside the Church…from other Christ Followers.  I refuse to mention any names in this writing.  This is not about calling folks out on what they do or don’t believe.  After all, God gave us each a measure of faith.  See Romans 12:3  It’s God who removes the veil from our eyes so that we can see Him more clearly.  See 2 Corinthians 3:1-18   It’s God who gives us the knowledge…but how are we using it?  Are we using it to tear each other down, or build each other up?  Are we allowing knowledge itself to be the box that keeps the Holy Spirit from working effectively?  After all, Jesus himself said that He could not do miracles in some places due to the lack of belief.  See Matthew 13:53-58 This is not the picture of the spotless bride that Jesus is coming back for!!  In fact, often times the vision I see when others doubt the authenticity of another Christian, is that of the Pharisees calling Jesus blasphemous.  Again,… Jesus likened the Pharisees and scribes to white washed tombs!! 

When are we going to learn to accept each other for who God created each of us to be as Followers of Christ.  We’re not in competition here, though some might argue that fact.  Even the twelve disciples argued over who would be the greatest. See Luke 9:46  Maybe we should learn from their mistakes instead of trying to be the best or having the most knowledge, or worrying about whose church is too small or too large, too loud, not loud enough, traditional music vs non-traditional music or vice versa…etc.  The arguments seem endless!!  Stop trying to stop someone from being all God made them to be simply because you don’t believe it for that person!! Maybe we should simply work together, accepting the fact that not everyone is going to have the same doctrinal beliefs as Christ Followers.  Maybe we should strive for excellence…both at individual and corporate levels.

Where I am unable to reach a lost soul, you can.  And, where we are unable to reach one…someone else is able to reach them.  This is possible only with the workings of the Holy Spirit through us.  It’s us making ourselves available for the God of all Creation to work through us!!  It’s. Not. About. Us.

Let’s stop letting pride, knowledge, doctrinal beliefs…or whatever, get in the way of being true Christ Followers.  We can know the Bible inside and out, but if we don’t allow the Author to work through us to reach the lost, sadly, we are ineffective as Followers of Christ.

For years, my saying has been “don’t keep God in a box.”  And, I must admit that in my walk, from time to time, even when against having borders for God, I still manage to do just what I don’t want to do…have a border here or there.  The beautiful thing is that God knows that I don’t want Him in a box, but He also knows my imperfections…better than I know them myself.  I want to see Him for EVERYTHING He is and ever will be.  So, when this happens, He ever so gently shows me the error of my way.  I encourage you to do the same.  Let your boundaries go!!

Don’t let your head full of wonderful knowledge…that is God given by the way… become the box that keeps God from doing all that He’s capable of doing… like those in Nazareth who believed they knew Jesus so well that they believed Him incapable of doing miracles.  Don’t be that guy!!  Seek knowledge…but more importantly…seek the Giver of that knowledge.

Who's your enemy?

While a friend was praying for me today, the Lord brought to my memory that when we’re taking ground for Him, the enemy will attack us where we have been injured the most in our lives, simply because he knows what is most painful to us.  He pulls out all stops to try to keep us from doing God's will. If he can get our focus off of Jesus and onto the pain that we're enduring, he can keep us from moving forward for the Lord.

Keep in mind that, so often, without people realizing it, they allow the enemy to work through them…or us…myself included.  Ephesians 6:12 tells us that it’s not flesh and blood that we wrestle with, but principalities, powers and the rulers of the darkness of this age.  ( Ephesians 6:12 NKJV - For we do not wrestle against flesh and - Bible Gateway )  It’s not people who are the enemy; it’s the enemy working through others. It’s important that we remember this when we are attacked in this way.

Like many of you, I have been rejected many of times in my life.  My first memory of rejection happened around age 3 by my grandma.  As I take aggressive steps forward for what I believe to be God’s will for my life, rejection as well as other things that plagued my childhood, spring forward quickly and strongly through others.  Now I wish that I could tell you that I’ve always handled these attacks well, but I would be a liar if I did.  Even now, when knowing what I know about the enemy and his ways, I don’t always respond in the best way.  I must say I’m grateful for friends who understand this and are willing to hear what’s on my heart and pray with me.  Ultimately, I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit for His willingness to continue to lead me, guide me, and like today...remind me of things that I’ve already been taught, but needed to be reminded.  This strengthens my mind and spirit.  Of course, praising and worshipping the Lord is always the best way to get your eyes off of yourself and back onto Jesus.

Another of the challenges of these attacks is to be kind to those who unknowingly cause pain.  In the majority of these situations, I’m positive that the folks causing pain don’t realize they’re even doing it.  Knowing this and continuing to treat them with love and kindness is another challenge all its own.

Since I’ve experienced this so much in my life, I am ultra aware of what I do and say to others.  I don’t want to be one to deliver pain to another person through the words of my mouth.  I ask myself if what I have to say to others is truly necessary and what my motives are.  If I have any doubt whatsoever, I choose not to speak.

I hope that sharing the challenges of my life help you in some way.  Jesus never said that following Him would be easy.  But, I totally and completely believe that living my life to be pleasing to God is definitely worth it.  When I look back on my life, see where I once was and where I am now, I am encouraged and strengthened for the road ahead…the road to being all that God created me to be.   

Money, Time, or Relationship?

 So, today I went to see the movie, “Million Dollar Arm.”  I was pleasantly surprised…pretty good stuff!  I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it, so I won’t go into great detail about it.  What I did like about it was that they filmed part of it in India and the rest of it in the US.  India is a place that I hope to visit one day so this movie really touched my heart.

The point of the movie was to get a couple of cricket players from India, convert them to Major League Ball Players and make a ton of money in the process.  Now, everything was based on a business plan…they had X amount of dollars and X amount of time to make this whole thing work.  All was going well until the big day for a Major League tryout for the 2 Indian fellows.  Unfortunately, they failed at attaining positions in the Major League.  Now it’s not because they didn’t have the ability, it was because of the way everything was handled.  The young men were basically handled like a commodity instead of human beings.  It was business for the Americans, just business!  Luckily, someone spoke up and informed the main guy that he handled the entire situation in the wrong way.  At that point, he corrected himself and truly took the time to get to know the players and so on.

I see so much of this that goes on everywhere here in the US.  Everything is about money and numbers.  How often do we actually stop and take the time to get to know somebody we come into contact with on a regular basis?  So often, whether it’s in business, our neighborhoods, schools, or even in church, we are in such a big hurry that we get “whatever it is we need,” and move on.  The quicker the better because you know, time is money and money is time…and heaven forbid that someone be seen speaking to someone “outside of their social status!!”  I’m SO tired of this way of life!!  We’re all human.  We all have struggles. We all have only 24 hours a day.  We all have to breathe the same air.  We all will exit this earth some day. 

How many people do you come in contact with on a regular basis that you can truly say you don’t even know their names, let alone whether or not they’re married, single, have children or other details of their lives? 

As followers of Christ, we should strive to know and care more about others.  It’s those interpersonal relationships that are so very important.  It let’s folks know that we truly care about them.  It would be easy for me to go to Wal-Mart, Starbucks or any place for that matter, go in get what I need, and not speak a word to anyone.  Get my business done and get out of there…after all…we’re all in a big hurry to get nowhere…right?  I wonder though…is that how Jesus handled things in His day?  No, I don’t believe it was. There are times when Jesus was headed from point A to point B and someone would cry out to Him.  Many of the miracles He did were in those times where He stopped on His way from A to B.  He took time out for people. As Christ followers, we should too!

A Christ follower = Love God, love people.  Take the time to get to know others.  If you’re a follower of Christ and you’re not sharing the love of God, what good are you to the Kingdom?  That doesn’t necessarily mean preaching Jesus everywhere you go.  It does mean to let the light and love of Jesus flow through you to others.  Jesus didn’t have a second thought about giving up His life on the cross for each and every one of us.  The least we could do is slow down a bit and take the time to get to know the people who cross our paths on a regular basis.  You never know, you may be the only way someone will ever get to experience the love of Christ.

Be led by the Spirit.  He is with us always, but do we always listen to what He’s guiding us to do?  I assure you, if you take to the time to get to know others by the guiding of the Holy Spirit, life will never be boring!  Just last week a woman approached me in Starbucks.  Apparently she recognized me because I’m a regular there.  She was drawn to me…or I should say, she was drawn to Jesus in me…whether she realizes this or not. J  She invited me to sit and visit with her and her friends any time.  Instantly I thought, “there’s no better time than now.”  So, I joined her and her friends.  Sure there was a little awkwardness, but I just pretended that I was comfortable until I was comfortable.  Now, none of us will ever have a second thought about visiting and getting to know each other when we see one another.  It would have been easy for me to brush off the invite.  I didn’t know this woman from Adam!  But…what if that moment was the only chance I had for the door to be open to them?  To me, eternity in heaven is too important to have turned down a moment like this.  God is all about people, and we should be, too!  

Take the time to get to know those in your world no matter how big or small your world is.  You won’t regret it!  Hopefully, when we get to heaven, we’ll be surprised at the folks who are there because we took the time for relationship here.    

What's the value of your sin?

So…first thing this morning, I saw a cartoon pic that had some men beating up another man who was lying on the ground, wearing a rainbow shirt and he was bleeding. The caption was…”If you’re using your Bible to hurt people, you’re using it wrong.”


I happen to agree with this statement. The Bible is our guide…our manual to living a Godly life. It’s not meant to be used to hurt others.


Is it up to us to point out everyone else’s sin? Or is it our job to examine ourselves for our own sin?

 I have found that it’s very easy to point out someone else’s sin, but that’s not my job. My job is to work out my own salvation…examine myself for sin in my own life. I ask God daily to show me if there is any sin in my life. I like to keep a blank page. I would have to say that a weak point for me is when I’m driving. I sometimes become angry…anger is an emotion that even God has…but my goal is that when I have anger, I don’t want to sin. But when I do sin, I realize it immediately and ask for forgiveness. It’s my job to allow the Holy Spirit to convict me of wrongdoing. I am uber aware of when I sin and I believe that’s because I keep a close walk with the Holy Spirit, who convicts me when I get it wrong. Philippians 2:12

 All too often in the Body of Christ, sins are given value. Is murder more of a sin than lying, cheating or gossiping? No, it isn’t. Sin is sin and the Bible clearly states what sin is whether it is lying, cheating, gluttony, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, abuse…sexual, physical, emotional or verbal, etc. Who are we to beat others up because we don’t like their sin more than we don’t like our own?


It’s time to have a look in the mirror…examine ourselves…and decide to live the life that God created us to live. When we look in that mirror, do we see ourselves…or do we see Jesus in our reflection? James 1:19-26


Jesus is the Light of the world and if we are Christ followers, we are the Light of the world as well. Let the Light of Jesus flow through you to all who see you. It’s the Light and Love of Jesus that will change the world, not us beating others up. Any and all who come to Jesus for salvation are subject to changing their lives to be more like Him…that’s a given. Let’s let the Holy Spirit do His job and let’s focus on ourselves, not others, to become all that He created us to be.

Please let me pass...

Valentine’s Day…the day that is set aside to let our loved ones know just how much we love them.  What a wonderful day it is for so many people.  Love is in the air!

On my way to the gym this morning, I was reminded by an unfriendly driver, that there are so many hurting people who just need to know that they are loved.

Hurting people hurt people…let’s never forget that.  You never know what others may be going through.  Let’s do our best to treat others with compassion.

Enjoy what’s left of your Valentine’s Day and let’s do our best as followers of Christ to show His love to those who are hurting…even those who may have hurt us…not just Valentine’s Day, but everyday.  With the love of Christ Jesus, our world can be changed.