The Narrow Way.... Is It Really That Narrow?

Just a thought that I want to develop.... I hope I get back to it eventually.... 

But it seems that the life I have in Christ is not narrow at all.   There is a lot of liberty. 

The thought of man.... taking dominion.. that is a lot of territory. 

I had a discussion the other day while hiking with a buddy... about how much is God really concerned with our day to day activities.  I mean.... not to make God out to be a noncaring Being.. but  I look at my adult kids... I mean... I love them..  I want the best for them.  But I do not make their second by second... minute by minute decisions for them.   I love to hear their stories.  I am ready and willing to listen to them anytime they want to talk.. I will be glad to give them advice if they want it.. But.. part of the joy of raising kids.. is to see them grow up and live their own lives.. and make their own decisions..   

Does that make sense?

But...  i diverted... The main thing I mean to express in this post is this.. . 
Yes... when I first came to Christ.. perhaps i did have to give up some things.  and yes.. as I walk with Christ there are many things that I will not do because I follow Christ.  But it seems that the things that I get to enjoy and have... far out weigh the things that I have had to give up in order to follow Him. The peace, joy and contentment alone is worth anything that I have had to give up.    Knowing that God has it all figured out.  Knowing that He has a wonderful plan for my life takes the worry out of this life.   Wow.. what a trade off!

Why We Should Journal

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Are others irritated?

And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.”
Mark 3:11 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.3.11.NKJV

Hmmm.. makes you think....
Now.. I am not a paranoid type person... But... I wonder if sometimes when Jesus is shining through us.. if someone else is really having trouble with the enemy.. and perhaps are really giving in to the ways of the enemy.. if this person can act out.. and maybe not even feel comfortable around you because of the Spirit of God inside of you?  
Something to think about.

Constantly Changing

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Mistreated and overlooked?

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God Is My Cake

        Here is one of the hardest lessons I've had to learn but now that I've learned it, it is the most rewarding.

God is my cake

At Least I Have 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 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.... that is the 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 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!  

People are like sprinkles or... the icing...... they're  not always there...... but when they are..... it's a special treat..... but I still have the cake to enjoy!

This has been the hardest thing I have had to learn.  It has taken me so long to learn... even a 15 year nightmare excursion in the desert that about killed me... but I finally got it!!!  I am a happier, better person because of this lesson.....just wish I wasn't so darn slow! :-)

Addendum 11/18/21  I believe one if the reasons why the drug epidemic is so bad is because people are looking for sprinkles and cherries and candies on their cake every day.

God's got this

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God's renewing presence

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There's A Chink In My Armor

Are you aware of some weakness in your life?  Does there seem to be some area that always catches you off guard? That is like the "chink in one's armor". 
    Don't just ignore that weakness. Don't just accept that it's just "who you are"! Repair those areas.  Fix them before you are delivered a deadly blow. 
     In fact, be thankful for those weak areas... the fact that they are exposed gives you the opportunity to fix them so you are not vulnerable in future attacks.

     Several years ago there were some "chinks in my armor" that enabled the   enemy to take me down.  The wounds were so severe I wanted to die.  Overtime, the wounds healed. But, my armor still wasn't fixed.  I was determined to not let another life threatening blow be dealt. I started noticing the little stabs here and there. I didn't get mad at the attacker or my weaknesses..  I became thankful... because, as they were exposed,  I could work on those weak areas in my armor.

     Today, I am so much stronger. I am so much healthier. I am so much happier because those "chinks" were exposed and fixed.  You can be too!

Be blessed!