Fanned Back To Life

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:6

As I read this verse this morning I typically think of this verse as one being condemned or cast out or possibly even being sent to hell. But in my own experience I have suffered and experienced many of those times of being cast out and withered. Only to be found by the grace of God, picked back up and grafted into the Vine. And then to experience once again the life Giving flow of our Saviour.

I am thankful for this verse in  Isaiah 42:3  that says,  "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out". So many times the father has fanned the smoldering flax in my life and broughtme back to life again.

So many times I have felt cast out and Ccast away from the father because of my rebellion and  choosing my own path only to experience that withering, dryness, lifeless despair. And then, at that point of the despair, turning back to God and turning to his ways and having him fan back to life those flames. Once again, lifted up and grafted back into the Vine and feel the Life of Christ once again flow through this vessel.

If you are feeling lifeless. If you feel cast out, burnt out, and spent, turn back to the Father. Choose his ways! Realize that his ways are life-giving. Wait in his presence. Ask him to fan back to life those flames that once burned for him. He will do it. He will do it time and time again. Because he loves us!

Father, fan the smoldering flax. Strengthen the bent reed. I turn my life back to you realizing, that once again I have turned to my own ways and my own plans only to be found wanting and lack. I choose You! I choose your ways! I allow myself  once again to be connected to the Vine and allow the Life of Christ to flow richly through me. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for being a loving father!

God Is My Cake

                                                  

People will always fail you at some time or another..... even the best are imperfect..... so don't be surprised when it happens.   Because it WILL happen!!!

Now life is like cake.  God is my cake...  I get to enjoy cake everyday.  No matter what is going on in my life... I always have cake.  Everything else is sprinkles, icing, or whatever else you want on top of your cake. 

There are days when all you will eat is cake.... but that alone is enough.  Then... there will be days when extra things happen.... those are the sprinkles and icing in life.  Maybe it is a phone call from a friend.  Maybe it is something nice that a complete stranger does for you.  Maybe it is a good movie.  Perhaps it is a memory of a fun time you had years ago.  Icing typically does not come every day.  Sometimes you can go weeks without sprinkles or icing.  But.... YOU ALWAYS HAVE CAKE!  

So.. on a day.. when you are feeling lonely, unneeded or unappreciated... go enjoy yourself some cake.  Realize that tomorrow there might be icing.  Or just go ahead and make your own icing.  Make a list of things you really like.  A TV show, a book, a country drive, call a friend, relive a happy moment.  Make it happen, and apply that icing to your own cake.  

But... remember... you ALWAYS HAVE CAKE! 

This is an addendum to "God Is My Cake" 9/5/2019
If you are feeling down because you don't have icing on your cake today.. just look back to the last time when you had icing and relive those moments..  Chances are.. it wasn't that long ago... 
Then... look forward to the next time you are going to have icing... maybe the weekend... if you don't see any in your near future.. then do something to make your own icing!

You Can Hear God

I grew up and around churches where people have the liberty to speak into your life.  So many times... we would want someone to pray for us and hear from God for us and then tell us what God was saying.  

Today... I woke up and knew that I wanted an adventure.  I had worked 6 out of the last 7 days.. and I just needed to unwind.  So, still undecided in which direction I would go.... I just got in my car and started driving.   I always have a long list of places to go.    So I started heading towards Jackson, Ohio.. There are some trails around Lake Katherine that I love.  

Still undecided... I pulled off at the rest stop just north of Jackson.. and decided to journal a little.  While I'm sitting there a guy pulled up next to my car and I thought, "Hmmm.. wouldn't that be wild if this random person had a "word" from God for me like.. "how I'm right in the middle of God's will..... or.. how pleasing I was to God"... etc, etc, etc.  

Lol.. Then I felt the Holy Spirit say to me.... "Kevin, why do you need someone else hearing God for you when you hear Him everyday.. and I talk to Him everyday?"

Well, I kind of chuckled and realized that was so true.

God has put His spirit inside of us for the purpose of having a constant close relationship with us.. I mean... how much closer can you get than residing right inside of us???   Oh-mazing!!!

So.. train yourself to listen.. Allow yourself to get quiet enough to hear His voice.. 

Don't wait for some random person in a truck at a rest stop to give you a word..  Hear Him for yourself. 

Two Blessed

Two blessed!

I had a blast last night.  I went to a concert.  Got a free front row ticket!  But the biggest blessing was watching God work.  I hesitate to share this blessing with others because I don't want people to say, "Why doesn't God do that for me?"  Believe me.... I have been there..   Sitting by watching God bless others and it just looks like my life was falling apart.   But slowly.... my attitude has changed. 

    I have slowly and purposely changed my focus in life.  My focus is this..... as long as I have God in my life and I have an active relationship with Him constantly.... everything else that comes to me (or doesn't come to me) is just extra.  Don't NEED the other stuff....but I NEED this relationship with God!

    Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder were playing in Chillicothe Sunday.  I had comtemplated getting a ticket... but I would have worked three 12 hour shifts in a row... and sometimes after that schedule.. I am wiped out and did not know if I would be up to going to a concert..... so I did not buy a ticket...

     I woke up late afternoon the day of the concert (I work nights).  As I live out my life focus that involves getting alone with God before I do anything else.  So.... I spend my alone time visiting with God.. knowing that the longer I waited.... the later I would be for the concert......  even if I could get a ticket!   But I did not let that distract me with my visit with the Father.   When our visit was wrapping up.... I felt like I was to go to the concert.  So I got online to get a ticket.  Tickets sales closed!!!   So.. I called the venue.... recording!!   So... the only thing to do would be to drive to the concert and hope to get get a ticket. 

I get ready.... knowing I might not get a ticket.  Knowing I would miss the very beginning of the concert.  So I get to the venue.  Closest parking... was like a a 1/2 mile away.  So... looks like I am going to have to park.. and then walk 1/2 mile to see if they have tickets available.   So..... As I driving up this hill... I stopped and asked this couple if they knew if they had tickets available.  The wife said.... she did not know.  Well.... me trying to be funny (as always) said.. I'll give you guys a ride to the front door for a $1.   She said.. not for a dollar....  I told them I was just teasing... but I would be glad to give them a ride.   The husband said he wanted to walk.. But the wife took me up on the ride.  We chat on the way to the front door.  It turns out this lady went to school with my wife..... and she does the payroll for the company that is putting on this concert.   Well, it was a pleasant but short visit.  I asked her if she could check to see if there were any tickets and then text me "yes or no".  That way I would not have to walk back the 1/2 mile only to be turned away.  

So... I give her my number.... drop her off at the door.  I drive back to where there was parking.. .As I was driving.. there was one TIGHT parking spot open about 1/10th of a mile from the venue.  I used my SUPERB parking skills and parked my minivan in that spot.... PHEW!!!!..   I get a text.... "There is a ticket for you at the Will Call Window"

GREAT!!!!   The night is getting better!

I walk to the Will Call window.  Told them my name... and they handed me an envelope with my name on it.   I asked would they take a debit card.  She said... "It's already paid for."  Wow.... so.. I make my way into the venue.... and open the envelope and it is a front row ticket!  Right in front of the band!!!!  

Well... the concert had all ready started.... and I did not want to walk all the way down front.  I was trying to see if that seat was still open... just in case some people had moved around to get a closer seat.  I could not tell if the seat was empty or not.. So I opted to wait for an opportune time to move down front.  I did not want to make a commotion.... I have been known to do that at times... :-)    

So.. I found a seat towards the back and and started to enjoy the concert.  Well, an opportunity never came to discreetly move down front... But the venue was a lovely outdoor venue at the Tecumseh Amphitheatre with trees all around, a small lake in the background, a clear moonlit night.  So I stayed where I was enjoying my free ticket.

There was more that happened that I don't have time to go into at this concert... But I say all of this.... to say this.... make God your priority... and learn to be satisfied with what He gives you.... it will be the best life for you!  I promise.  God loves us way more than we could ever think or imagine.  Get to know Him today. 

Oh... I did meet Skaggs after the concert!  

What a great concert... you guys should see him sometime! 

(I blog some.. .if you want to read some of my other stories... you can check out my blog page at: kevinelliott45601.blogspot.com

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