Help For Your Daily Walk

Oh, the times that we have gotten aggravated because we have had to change what we originally planned to something different. We look at the situation and “feel” as if we’ve failed. We don’t have a clue why our original plan has changed. At that moment we don’t have the benefit of hindsight and realizing WHY we were redirected. What we DO have is the benefit of the scriptures to remind us that someone has seen it all and is aware of every tear shed to this point. He even know

Peter was writing to Christians that were living out their faith among those that didn’t have the same beliefs. These believers were in a sense, foreigners, but still let their faith shine through during all trials. It was this “fuel” of genuine faith that kept their hope alive. Their hope was in the resurrected Jesus Christ. He was encouraging them by saying “May God give you more and more grace and peace.” Let me extend that same encouragement to you today. May you continue

Have you ever noticed in television shows or movies, when things aren’t going quite right in someone’s life, you see them enter a church to pray and be close to God? I realize that there is something peaceful and safe about being in a sanctuary. By definition, sanctuary is considered a refuge or protection from danger. What happens when you leave this place and face the outside challenges? You have to be prepared to deal with the things that happen outside those walls. You ha

There are so many “ifs” in this world. It matters which of those we associate with and follow. Our life would be simpler “if” we paid attention to the ones in chapter 2 of Proverbs titled “Listen to Wisdom”. (Read the whole chapter) “If” you search for wisdom like a hidden treasure you will understand what it means to respect the Lord and know God. (vs 5). “If” you listen to him, you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right. You will gain wisdom, and

Sometimes (and I include myself in this) we tend to let stuff take up residency in our minds. Worry, self-doubt, anxiety and the opinion of others take over and roll around in our minds causing conflict within ourselves (chaos). When your mind is full of chaos, you are rendered unable to focus on the things that matter. We weren’t designed to be controlled by fear and confusion. We are told in 2 Peter to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” W

When something or someone is “squeezed” what's inside comes out. Whether we are talking about a tube of toothpaste or the life of an individual … the inside contents show when there is a squeeze. You can’t hide the inside from the squeeze. It is easy to appear good and “pretend” you have it all together when things are going well. When the “squeeze of life” takes a turn … your true character emerges on to the scene. What does that look like? Remember when Joseph’s life took a

When the nurse puts that sweet baby in your arms for the very first time, a sense of overwhelming love and joy fills your heart. This little guy or gal is yours to love for the rest of your life. The things that they will initially learn and accept will come from the foundation that you establish for them. This is a beautiful and serious responsibility. Getting your kids on the right path is more than just getting them into a good Christian school or deciding that homeschooli

In the cool or cold seasons of the year, getting out of the cozy bed is the worst. The temp in the house is down and of course I have a ceiling fan running (don’t ask, I just do). I also have a sweet cat all cuddled up next to me with Bobby sleeping soundly and another sweet cat by him. That right there … is a cozy situation. If I don’t get up and get moving, that “cozy zone” is gonna be my downfall. Are you following me? We can’t be someone who lets something keep us from ex

I heard it said recently … “the days are long, but the years are short”. This was said in regard to raising children. As parents sometimes just the everyday events with your kiddos can make the day seem extremely long. You actually, in many ways, love every minute of it, and then on the other hand, you’re totally exhausted. We have to remember that one day the house will be quiet and we will miss those little voices with endless questions. You will miss those moments of joy i

Have you ever been so tired that you just want to get into a tub of hot water and soak in there for hours? For me it is a hot shower, letting my body soak in the warmth of the water and the smells of the body wash. It has a way of helping me relax and in a sense, wash away the cares of the day or (start my day off right). When you take the bath sponge and squeeze it, you realize just how much water was there … with the remainder of the scent of body wash both on the sponge an

Remember how in the movie “Wizard of Oz”, they were following the yellow brick road? In the context of the movie, Dorothy was instructed to follow this road and it would take her to someone that could get her back home. In many ways her journey seemed somewhat magical, but along the way there were a multitude of challenges and lessons she went through before she arrived. She continued on her path despite the attacks that came with the journey. In your own life your "yellow br

There are those that truly believe they have messed their life up beyond repair. And to the outside world it could appear to be true. The outside world can be fatalistic and cruel. But the world is not the final source. Where you are may not have been what God had as His original plan for you, but He gives new beginnings with new endings to anyone who repents. Your past failures may have you feeling all hope is gone. Quit remembering those earlier times. Quit praying about th

Two people can hear the same information and understand it differently. Some have become so gullible, they tend to believe everything they hear. Others have learned to sift through the information and decide from there. Which one do you think a liar would want to communicate with to get their falsehood out there? I think you know. Gullible people are easy targets for them to propagate their agenda to and push it forward. They can say whatever they want to and know it will get

No matter what you see others do or don’t do should not deter you from doing what you know is right and true. We have a great example in Daniel of how to be honest with those (even in high places). Sometimes the news he had to deliver to the kings of his day was not good news, yet he did it anyway. The thing is, Daniel was confident in the God he served. His friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had survived the hot fires of the furnace because this God walked with them thr

Bobby and I watched a movie years ago where a phrase that was used … stuck with us. It was made by a character named Ruby Thewes who had some experience in farming in the 1800’s. She went to the home of Ada (who was depending on the kindness of neighbors to help her after her father passed) to give her some much needed help with the farm. Without the help of others, Ada would not make it. Ruby told her something that made a huge difference in her life … “If you need help, her

Someone who cares like Jesus is someone who sticks around when the going gets tough. They aren’t only “fair-weathered friends” who celebrate you when everything seems to be going right. They stick around when your foot slips and your life gets off track. They encourage you to take a serious look at what’s going on and truly try to help you get out of the messy situation you may or may not have created. The Bible says to “restore in the spirit of meekness”. Or another way to s

Bear with me y’all. I still have many days where I miss my brothers and sister like crazy. When Linda passed, I thought my heart would break not just because she was my sister, but she loved me so much and showed it in so many ways. Then, within a few months, my big brother Larry passed, and my mind was filled (and still is) with how much he loved his little sis Pete (as he called me). He would call just to check in on me in the big ole city of Nashville. Then just this past

I want to take you back to how God took care of rebuilding the wall at Jerusalem through the efforts of Nehemiah. “On October 2 the wall was finished-just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.” Nehemiah had been sad over and actually wept over the shape of the wall at Jerusalem. Things were in a mess. After much prayer

I know that is not the original saying, but it works for our topic today. And just as in sports (like basketball, football or soccer) having a good defense is critical in keeping the other team from running up the score. But the best defense is being “proactive” on the offensive side. Getting those goals and baskets in before you are in a bind score wise. How do you handle offensive situations? Let’s face it, we all get “offended” from time to time. For our sanity, we can’t s

The things in this life that should be of the most importance to us is faith, hope and love. (Trust - Hope - Love). Without these, we would never have a fulfilling existence. When it comes to what should be at the top of the list, love should be the beginning and the end to all we do. In the message translation, we see that we don’t just “love” … we “love extravagantly”. The best way to live out your life and really be a better version of yourself, is to love others like Jesu