Good (Maybe) Morning!

Good (Maybe) Morning!

Is it? I mean, there are so many things happening in our lives that have to be dealt with, grieved over, lamented, and gone through. The kids are sick, the bills need to be paid, your husband can't find his keys (or wallet, or ipod, or cell),  the dog needs shots. Possibly, your parents could be ailing, or you may be giving them care, as well. No doubt, you may feel overwhelmed with the mountain of activities you must deal with on a daily basis. So, the question is: Is it REALLY a good morning? 

I submit to you the following eye-opening statement: Yes, it is. You may not feel like it now, but it is. Consider this: around the world, there are women dealing with shootings in their backyards, husbands dead from AIDS, children starving, daughters being raped and mutilated, sons being stolen to march in armies bound to exterminate entire races of people, and countries without governments. Women are forcibly sterilized and/or forced to abort babies if they dare to get pregnant after having a child already. Millions upon millions of women go through their entire life without a drink of soda pop or coffee, without looking at a tv or computer, without any of the comforts we take for granted each and every day.  And the saddest fact of all is that many of them go through all of this without the love of Jesus to give them any sort of hope, because, due to a bad economy (or lack of faith),  we are not sending enough missionaries to reach all of the lost in the world.  

Meanwhile,  we sit in comfort, reading blogs and drinking coffee, as they are going through hell on earth, with no hope. 

So, I ask you, is it a good morning? If your answer is still no, consider this:

Job said: 13:15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face

Paul said: Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

And in the end, Jesus said:

Matthew 28:19-20-Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...


Be encouraged-life is tough, but we have one on our side who gives us hope. It is, truly, a good morning!

Tripping Merrily Along, 
Cheryl

The Charmed Life

Who do you know that has everything? Is it some celebrity that graces the cover of every magazine in the check-out line? Maybe someone you went to high school with who is now making six figures? We sometimes look at those people and think they have it made. That somehow, through some miscalculation or otherwise perverse act of nature (or God) , those folks are blessed. And the very next thought will sometimes be, "Hey! Why couldn't that be me?" 

Here's a surprise for many people: God's ways are not our ways. We are NOT going to be able to figure out why some seemingly undeserving  people seem to have it all. What we need to trust in each day is that our circumstances are not a surprise to Him. He knows where we are and what we are doing, and everything about us. He has us exactly where we need to be, for whatever reason He has. And when we have learned everything we need to learn and grown in the areas we need to grow in, He will move us to another circumstance. And then you will finally realize that you ARE living the "Charmed Life. "

Jer. 29:11-  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Tripping Merrily Along, 

Cheryl

It's All About Attitude

What's your attitude?

About life, the church, your family, your spouse, your job? Christian women, many times, find ourselves in such a rush that we don't even realize our attitude has become that of the world. We can all testify about busyness-busy with the kids, school, job, family,church and before we realize it, we are grouching. Just like the rest of the world, the ones who don't know our Savior. It can be difficult to live like we are redeemed, but I encourage you to remember your Lord, who has purchased us when we were not needed, and loved us when we are unlovable, and then be grateful. 

Phil. 2:3-5

 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not [merely] look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus...

Tripping Merrily Along,

Cheryl 

Sleepless nights.....

Or should I say, mostly sleepless? There is nothing like being awakened to remind you of how wonderful sleep is. For me, it is an opportunity to read my bible and update my blog. What do you do at night when you can't sleep? Right now, I will trust in this: 

Exodus 33:14 

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Fear of......

Fear:  noun

1.
a : an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of dangerb (1) : an instance of this emotion (2) : a state marked by this emotion

This is the Merriam-Webster definition. So, it begs the question: What are you afraid of? 

At our house, some (little) people are afraid of everything. The dark, a strange shadow, shots, singing in church-oh, the list is endless. :)

Me?  I am not afraid of much. There are some things I don't like, such as snakes, spiders, alligators, and that sort of thing, but I don't "fear" much that I can get my hands on. In my mind, if I can slap, kick, punch, smack,  squish, strangle, or otherwise deter something, I am going to be ok.  

My true fears tend to be of the unknown-losing my husband or a child, having a wreck, a tornado, things of that nature. Things I have less control over. 

The bible has LOTS to say about fear. There are two kinds of fear. The good kind, the awe and reverence we have for God, is often misunderstood by the secular world. That  fear is one that comes from deep understanding of God and from a mature faith that wants to worship Him. 

The other fear, one that comes from Satan, is actually sin. II Timothy 1:7 says that, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind." If it doesn't come from God, it comes from the powers of darkness. Satan uses it to control us, we Christians, who are supposed to be tapped into the most powerful source of power in the whole universe, just let it happen. Isaiah 41:10 is a great encouragement. It says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” I like that. It really helps me remember who's on my side. :)

I'm interested in conquering my fear. Anybody with me?

Tripping Merrily Along, Cheryl 

The Simple Things

"Mom, check this out-knock, knock." Mom, totally exhausted from her day, sitting in her recliner, looks over at the precious son who, at the age of nine, thinks there is nothing as funny as a good knock-knock joke. "Who's there?" asks Mom. The joke, all about some fruit, made me smile and reminded me to be grateful for the little things, like the infectious grin of a 9-year-old. Don't be too busy (or tired) for the simple things. :)

Tripping Merrily Along, 

Cheryl

Ducks, Ducks, Ducks...

Ducks, Ducks, Ducks...

I have lots of ducks in my life. There's the Jesus duck, of course, the most important. When I allow Him to lead my life, I find myself with all my ducks in a row, and not much to complain about. When I take over the reins, if I become unhappy with His timing, or with the things he is allowing me to go through, well, that's when the other ducks get all out of line. The husband, the kids, the bible reading, the church work, the house work, usually due to my own lack of patience, love, gentleness, self-control, they all get out of line, until all I have is a great big mess. 

Now that begs a question. How many of you can relate? Come on, help me out. Can I get a witness??? Who has their ducks out of row today? 

And a verse to live by to finish it all up:

Gal. 5:22 And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Tripping merrily along, Cheryl