Honest Reflections

One-minute read.

Over the weekend, I ate meatloaf twice: once at Cracker Barrel and again at a local restaurant. Growing up, the ground beef concoction graced our table regularly, but in my adult life, I rarely make it. So, when I saw the specials, I couldn’t resist the temptation to taste the goodness of the simple dish.

Eating the scrumptious loaf of meat made me want more of it. When we taste something good, we can’t help but want more deliciousness. Tasting of the Lord’s goodness leads us down the path of righteousness because it makes us want more of Him.

From the moment Jesus enters our lives, He begins to transform us.  As we begin to experience the change, we draw closer to the Savior and desire more of Him.  The Lord’s goodness gives us unconditional love, grace, mercy, peace, and divine joy that fills our hearts, despite our circumstances.  Who doesn’t want that?

Taste of the Lord’s goodness, then keep on tasting as You seek and follow Him.  Experience the divine gifts that only come through a relationship with the Savior. In Christ, we have all we need; nothing in the world compares to life with Jesus.

Summer Fun Activity:

Make homemade ice cream.

One-minute read.

Understanding the vastness of creation and the Creator can’t happen from our human perspective.  Look around at your surroundings. Writing from my backyard, I see green grass, towering trees, and flowers in bloom, all of it created by God for us. 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1

Life began because God initiated it.  When the earth had no shape, he gave it one.  With four words, “Let there be light,” (Gen. 1:3) God dispelled the darkness, and the world came into existence.

All of creation glorifies God.  Watching the sunrise or set mesmerizes us with its beauty.  The changing seasons illustrated the circle of life and the need for change.  Waves crashing against the shore, coming from depths beyond our comprehension all the work of the Lord’s hand.

As you enjoy these last days of summer, let the beauty of creation draw you closer to the Creator.  Thank God for the beauty He created, and enjoy the blessings of nature.  All the earth sings of the Lord’s sovereignty, the work of His hands in every molecule, combined to form the world we know.

Summer Fun Activity:

Visit the beach.

One-minute read.

When Christmas came around the first year Ron and I dated, I had anxiety about his gift.  Afraid I wouldn’t like the present, I didn’t want to hurt my love’s feelings.  However, as usual, I worried for nothing.  The small heart pendant, featuring a pink flower encrusted with jewels, fit me perfectly, and expressed his feelings.

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.  Ron’s knowledge of me helped him choose the perfect token to express his love for me.  And God gave us the perfect gift we all needed when Jesus came to Earth in human form.

Today, take stock of the perfect gifts you’ve received from above.  Thank the Lord for the Savior who paved the way to reconciliation and a relationship with our Creator.  Then, list the divine gifts God has bestowed on you: family, friends, homes, food, transportation, clothing — the list becomes endless as we start counting our blessings.

Even more so than earthly fathers, our Divine Dad loves bestowing blessings upon us.  When we seek and follow Him, we will discover joys that we can get no other way.  The Lord wants to bless us, and when we use those blessings to help others, we bless God in return.

Live for the Savior, receive His gifts, and share them with all you meet.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go shopping for a new outfit.

One-minute read.

Reading about David collecting the necessary things needed to build the Temple, and then Solomon doing the work, I couldn’t help but think of God’s provision.  From precious metals and fine cloths to skilled workers with attention to detail, the Lord provided everything for the father and son to complete their tasks.

As our sovereign Creator, God has dominion over everything under the sun and beyond it.  Wherever the Almighty guides us, whatever divine tasks He assigns us, the Lord will give us the tools we need to finish the job.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 4:19

What we want and what we need differ.  Just because we want a new car doesn’t mean we will get it.  Instead, we can choose to be grateful for the one we do have.  The more we appreciate the Savior’s provision in our lives, the more we will recognize it.

Start making a list of your blessings.  You will quickly find God has abundantly blessed you, providing all you need when you need it.  Speak to the Lord from the heart, tell Him your needs.  Ask God for provision and watch as He provides.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go to an AdventurePark

One-minute read.

Animals do teach us about God’s glory and His divine nature.  As a child, while feeding horses, I slipped and fell.  Playing around me, I watched as the hooves landed inches from my head, realizing in that moment the power contained in the tall bodies.  For decades, I feared horses and wouldn’t go near them.

But on my fiftieth birthday, I asked the  Lord to help me overcome my fear of horses.  And He did, as usual, in a surprising way. 

While on vacation in Colorado, Ron and I went for a bike ride around a farm.  Stopping to take a picture, I didn’t notice the black stallion, hidden in the corner shadows.  His movement startled me, and for a brief second, we locked eyes.  I saw fear reflected back at me, realizing I had scared the black beauty as much as he had alarmed me.

Understanding my new friend’s fright somehow released me from mine.  My youthful passion for horses reignited in a brief instant.

Spending time watching animals teaches us about the Lord’s nature.  Their instinctive nature allows them to survive and thrive in the ever-changing world.  God made us all for a purpose, including the animals.  All made to glorify the Creator and honor Him with our lives.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go to the zoo or aquarium.

One-minute read.

Personally involved in our lives, the Lord shepherds us through life, vigilant and caring. He makes sure we reach our eternal destination with Him. Sheep need guidance, as they constantly stray off the beaten path without realizing it. And vulnerable, they require protection from the many enemies, big and small, that prey on them.

As God’s children, we act like sheep. When we see a shiny, new object, we can easily follow it to our demise. Worldly ways often appear as the key to immediate happiness, but in the end, cause us heartache. In the same way, scripture tells us the devil prowls around looking for ways to cause us misery.

Thankfully, we have a personal Shepherd who knows each one of us inside and out because He created us. Following Him will lead us to green pastures and restful sleep, having everything we need to persevere through the day’s troubles.

Listen for the Shepherd’s voice in His life. Follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings and trust that when things don’t go as planned, God has a better way that will lead to greener pastures.

The Lord is our Shepherd; we have all that we need in Him; we lack nothing.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go fishing or crabbing

One-minute read.

“I love your nails,” I say often when I notice a woman who has taken the time for a manicure.  In my younger years, I spent a lot of time at the nail salon, ensuring my fingers looked beautiful. I know the amount of time, money, and effort it takes to maintain pretty fingertips.  And so, when I compliment someone’s manicure, I do it to encourage them for their effort.

Encouraging someone doesn’t take much effort.  The most obvious compliments come from their appearance.  Last week at dinner, I noticed a woman with gold, glittery Crocs on her feet that made a statement, so I told her I liked them, because I did.  What people choose to wear, or do to their bodies, expresses their personality, and by complimenting them on their choice, it inevitably encourages them.

An even better way to encourage someone happens when we compliment their character.  “Great sportsmanship.  Way to be honest,” comes often from my mouth when coaching.  “Thanks for setting that example for me,” or “I appreciate your kindness,” also encourages and uplifts people.

Find the good and say the good, and you will encourage all you meet.

 Summer Fun Activity:

Invite friends over for a picnic.

One-minute read.

Finding work that doesn’t feel like work brings contentment from life.  Each of us has a purpose on Earth, specifically designed by God for us to do.  When we find the divine task the Lord has for us, we will not only do it with all our heart, mind, body, and soul, but we’ll experience God’s joy.

Unfortunately, many people spend their lives working at jobs they hate.  Day after day, the drudgery of doing what they must do instead of what they want to do takes a toll on them.  Living in a world that puts intense pressure on people to perform and attain certain worldly standards causes many individuals to spend their lives on the hamster wheel of keeping up with the Joneses.

Seek the Lord for guidance, asking Him to lead you to your purpose.  Finding the Lord’s will for your life will enable you to find your purpose and enjoy the work God gives you.  Fulfilling our destiny brings joy to our lives in a way nothing else can.  The Creator designed us to participate in life with Him, not sit idly by as the days blend, but to live in the now, fully alive and engaged in His plan.

Summer Fun Activity:

Make no-bake cookies.

One-minute read.

Eirene, the original Greek word for peace, means harmony, tranquility, safety, welfare, health, lack of strife, or reconciliation in a relationship.[1]  Thinking of a serene lake, water smooth as glass, the trees surrounding the body of liquid reflected in its surface, while the birds chirp and the air feels crisp against my skin, my nostrils filled with the earthy smells of the forest paints a picture of peace for me, all the senses exhilarated by the Lord’s beautiful creation.

From a spiritual perspective, having peace in my soul means that my heart and mind align with God’s leading, enabling me to take correct actions that please the Lord. Knowing I did the best  I could to honor and serve the Almighty allows me to let go of what I can’t control and trust God to do the rest.

Jesus wants us to live in His divine peace. He left it with us when He ascended to heaven.  Only by following the Savior can we experience the supernatural tranquility He offers, no matter our circumstances.  We can have trouble-free hearts, free from worry, when we trust Jesus to guide our paths.

Live fearlessly, with peace, following the Lord and enjoying His divine gifts.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go hiking.

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[1] NIV Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary Copyright © 2015 by Zondervan.

One-minute read.

Following God leads you on a journey of joy you can experience no other way.  Even amid difficulty, you will find unexpected pleasures that you could find no other way.

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, young men with hearts dedicated to the Lord, suffered in the fire because they refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar, Jesus walked with them in the flames.  As the ruler watched from afar, he saw four men dancing in the fire, footloose and fancy free.  Read the full story in Daniel 3.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Christ told us we will have troubles in this world, but we can take heart, because He overcame them for us.  As a result, we can walk the path of righteousness with Jesus and live a joy-filled life because of the Savior.

Put your worries in God’s hands, pour out your heart to Him, and allow His Spirit to refuel it with divine joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding.  In Christ, you find abundant life.

Summer Fun Activity:

Play a sport: kickball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, softball, etc.