Rewired for the Journey

This afternoon I sat down and wrote out thank you cards one after another. I thought it is so rare to get hand written letters in the 21st Century. But also how exciting to get them when you pull it out of the mailbox and it's not a bill! What surprise news is inside and is it one page or four pages; is it hand written in ink or pencil or is it typed out and then mailed? So sad to only get one if bad news is to be shared. I hope to get better this year at writing personal handwritten letters with a hermetically sealed  envelope to family and friends. I thank the Lord that we have a bunch of letters and small written books by Him all put together in book form called the Holy Bible.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Message (MSG) 14-17  But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvati

When an athlete trains too hard instead of building a stronger body they start to do the reverse and tear it down or injure their body. Same can be true in the spiritual body when one tries to sign up for everything the church offers and then a person burns out because they cannot do it all. Faith is not all about just doing things that are good or church sponsored. There is a lot of work spiritually to be done in the everyday things of life. A person of faith needs time to themselves to recharge through prayer, reading the Holy Bible, and simply washing the dishes as an act of worship to God as a sign of celebrating just being alive. Psalm 68:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible   But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. Prayer: Father, help me to keep a healthy balance in my life, amen.

I was once told by a monk at St. Meinrads that some of his best prayers were those with no words. I had no words today so I sat in God's loving presence and listened. Psalm 46:10 King James Version (KJV) Be still, and know that I am God... Prayer:

Today I say goodbye for the final time at my Mom's funeral. I will miss being able to give her earthly hugs and seeing her smile at me. So I feel numb right now but I am hope filled that I will see her in Heaven someday. That gives me comfort and a thankful heart for Jesus making that possible by His sacrifice for us on the cross and rising from the grave three days later. We live now in hope and memories and grateful she was my Mom on earth. John 3:16 King James Version (KJV) 16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for eternal life and being able to see my Mom someday in the future, amen.

The Lord allows fragile creatures to get close to Him . Human life is fragile and is as transient as passing shadows but God does not find us tiresome or a burden. Our Father in Heaven wants us to draw near to Him and share our life with Him.  We are created so our spirits can communicate with Him. He hears us and receives us in our prayers and praises and the more we draw near to Him the better He likes it. Psalm 84:3 New Living Translation (NLT)   Even the sparrow finds a home,      and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar,      O  Lord  of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! Psalm 102:11 New Living Translation (NLT)   My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.      I am withering away like grass. Prayer: Father, thank you for wanting to hear from us and share with us and comforting us, amen.

British writer Evelyn Waugh wielded his words in a way that accentuated his character flaws. Eventually, the novelist converted to Christianity, yet he still struggled. One day a woman asked him, “Mr. Waugh, how can you behave as you do and still call yourself a Christian?” He replied, “Madam, I may be as bad as you say. But believe me, were it not for my religion, I would scarcely be a human being.” As much as I try to live a holy life I fall far short many a time but the key is not to give up or become discouraged but to keep trying to live by the followings of Jesus Christ day in and day out. Do not let Satan tell you the lie that you are not a Christian and stifle your efforts to live for Jesus. Romans 7 21  I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.   22  I love God’s law with all my heart.   23  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is

I have been told that when one cries in their grief one is cleansing their soul. When going through grief one has to be willing to embrace the anguish and not fight it. If you try to ignore your grief you will not allow yourself to heal and you only prolong the healing process. So wash your soul and know Jesus has His arms of comfort around you. Matthew 5:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible  4  Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted. Prayer: Heavenly Father, please put Your loving arms around us at this time of sorrow, amen.

Hymns are songs of praise and are written for the purpose of adoration or prayer to God. Take the time to sit and read the lyrics and some tell beautiful stories and truths. Many are classics like The Old Rugged Cross or Amazing Grace and some are not too often sung. But they help us worship by setting the mood to worship and pray. Ephesians 5:18-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 18  And don’t get drunk  with wine,  which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: 19  speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, 20  giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Prayer: Holy Father, thank you for the gift of music and song, amen.

Try to live your life in such a way as to make your family proud. The loved ones who have passed before us are watching and checking in on us as they live eternally in Heaven awaiting for the time appointed when we will join them. Hebrews 12:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Call to Endurance 12  Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses  surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance  the race that lies before us,  2  keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Prayer: Father in Heaven, help us to live a life that our family in Heaven and on earth will be proud of us, amen.

The verse in Isaiah in chapter 29 verse 13 has always haunted me because I want my worship to God to be sincere and true. But I am sure there have been times I went through the motions of church service but my heart was not in it.  A person of faith needs to prepare themselves in mind and emotion to be ready to worship in truth and in spirit so as not to displease God and to receive the full blessings of God.  Isaiah 29:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible 13  The Lord said: Because these people approach Me with their mouths to honor Me with lip-service— yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship consists of man-made rules learned by rote— ***Prayer: Father, help us to take the time to truly be ready to worship You in a pleasing manner, amen.

Today was the funeral of my dear Aunt Reva who was 93 years young. She had a major impact on the family and was guided by her faith in Jesus Christ. She encouraged me to continue my work in ministry. She had me come and pray with her many a time throughout her life. She confided in me secrets to the grave as they say. She told me it was her wish that all her family give their life to Jesus Christ and she prayed for that almost every day of her life. I consecrated her grave and at the beginning, I was not sure I would get through it but I mustered the willpower because I wanted to follow through with the request. I will miss my Aunt Reva but this is not a final goodbye but only a see you shortly for in time I will visit with her again in Heaven. We will celebrate a good long run on earth and will be praising an eternity with the Holy Trinity, saints, and angels in Paradise. I love you Aunt Reva, enjoy being young and healthy again and having a heavenly family gathering.  Revelation

Mornings are my favorite time of the day. It reminds me of fresh starts. A chance to do life better than yesterday is exciting to me because I love life. Jesus came from Heaven to give humanity a fresh start, a chance to make it right for all us so we can live better than before. I hope you feel invigorated this morning, now go seize the day! John 5:25 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 25  “I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here,  when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. Prayer: Dear Father, fill me with the excitement to live life to the fullest and embrace it with your love, amen.

When we pray we should do more of praising and thanking God for all He does for us both large and small. This helps us develop a grateful nature which is a healthy characteristic to nurture. I believe it will help us through the tough times in life. Psalm 150 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 1  Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. 2  Praise Him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. 3  Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. 4  Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. 5  Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. 6  Let everything that breathes praise the  Lord . Hallelujah! Prayer: Thank you Father, for all our many blessings, amen.

Everyone in life has a choice to fill themselves up with the light of Christ and allow their souls to thrive or to allow darkness and their soul to shrivel. John 8:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Then Jesus spoke to them again:  “I am  the light  of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” Prayer: Father, guide me to walk always in Your light, amen.

How many times have you wanted Jesus just to appear right in front of you and answer your question or questions? Sometimes I have wanted to scream (and have actually screamed) "Dear Jesus what is so hard in giving me a simple yes or no?" I do not think you or I are alone on this matter. So what do we do to get an answer? I find sometimes the answer I am looking for is in the Holy Bible. I have learned if I feel no peace and only anxiety then most of the time it is not of God. Then there are times I feel quite at peace with a decision and take it as a yes from God. Thirdly, when neither peace or anxiety is upon me then I make the best logically balanced decision based on all the facts I can gather on what to do and then ask God to please bless my upcoming actions.  Jeremiah 29:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible  For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the  Lord ’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Prayer:

Today is set aside to remember Martin Luther King Jr. who sought for peace and full rights for all people. He wanted Black and White people to live in peace and love with one another. He was a pastor, father, husband, and a peace activist who helped to right wrongs in America. I would have liked to have had met him and talked with him.  His "I Have A Dream Speech" was very profound and I wish he could have lived longer and done more work but he was a very brave pastor who lived out his faith in Jesus to the best of his ability.  Malachi 2:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 6  True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing wrong was found on his lips. He walked with Me  in peace and fairness and turned many from sin. Prayer: Father in Heaven, help all the races in the world learn to live in peace with one another, amen. 

I woke to a text message that my Aunt Reva had passed on to Heaven. It had been expected for a while because she was 93 years old and in failing health. Even though we knew it was coming it still hits hard and is sad. She was a very loving woman and there was always room for one more person in her life. Aunt Reva would encourage and tell you straight up if you were going the wrong direction. My Mom and her sister were inseparably close and they always preached the importance of family.  She was always on the go and loved family gatherings. Now she is gathered into the family of God and I am sure she is making her rounds visiting everyone she loved who had gone before her. You will be missed Aunt Reva but someday we will meet again for another family gathering! Prayer: Almighty Father, thank You that You have provided a way to live with You in Heaven once more, until we meet again, amen. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 55  Death, where is your victor

What Christians should do the most is what we do the least... pray.  This is sadly the truth but it does not have to be that way. One trick I did with myself is I set three alarms on my phone so that at 6:30 in the morning it reminds me to have a morning prayer. Next at 12:15 pm I stop to have a midday prayer and then 5:15 pm I have an evening prayer. Later when I go to bed I have a bedtime prayer. I decided I live in a digital world so why not make it work for me in my Christian life. So far so good Colossians 4:2 New Living Translation (NLT) Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Prayer: Heavenly Father, holy and blessed, help me to make time for talk with you every day, may it be so amen.

I have a sign at my desk that says, "All I need is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus!" Coffee is an enjoyment of mine and when I first wake up it is my lifeline! But the reality is Jesus is my lifeline and when I wake up I say to Jesus as my head is still laying on the pillow... "Thank you, Father for another day, a gift from You". We need to keep a thankful spirit in the high and low times of life.  Praise you Lord Jesus my Savior, now let's go pour another cup of Breakfast Blend coffee. Colossians 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT) Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Yesterday my truck broke down. I had been hearing a strange noise for the past three days and thought I better get it into the shop and looked at by my mechanic. I did not get the chance because forty three miles away from that mechanic shop my truck started looking like a steam locomotive and I smelled a burning smell of radiator fluid. I got out of the truck and saw fluid pouring onto the driveway... sunk in the water. Last year I bought AAA Roadside Service Plus and I got a free tow to the auto repair shop across town. I got home safely and my truck is getting a new water pump and belts this morning. Soon I will be reunited with my truck and we will be back driving on the road again. It reminded me that if I had not put my faith in Jesus and was baptized I would not have an assurance of my eternal salvation in Heaven. I put my faith in AAA and was safely towed home. I put my faith in Jesus as Savior and He will safely bring me home to Heaven. Hebrews 11:6 Holman Christian Sta

I enjoy a good day of work and then my rest and play time is so much sweeter. If you earn a living by doing something you enjoy and have a passion for then it is almost like not working at but doing a hobby.  The Lord created work for us and He knows it is good for us. I think it gives us a sense of purpose and self accomplishment. So do not be afraid of work just dive in and get it done! Genesis 2:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible  The  Lord  God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.

I have always been amazed at people who think faith in Christ is crazy. They have no fear of Hell or living a sinful life. Now of course they do not see it that way but oh how blind they are. But we must not be discouraged with them but continue to bear our testimony to these lost souls because you never know if they will soften their heart and come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The conviction of the Holy Spirit on a person is powerful. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with something or someone? I do because there are days I wonder if I have anything to say. I worry about trying to say something original and it can just stop me in my tracks and give me writers block.  But we are forgetful creatures so maybe a repeat here and there is not so bad and maybe I can say in a colorful way that someone will say, "Now I get it!" Revelation 1:19 New Living Translation (NLT) “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

News... but is it really? I check the news every morning and rarely do I see anything of real meaning. The news outlets usually talk or write days on end of the same old stories they have been covering or outright been lying about . The news wants to tell you how you should feel and think about what they are reporting... "it is going to rain today so how sad you might get wet with water" Really!?! One place we can all go to still absorb common sense is the Holy Bible. This holy book is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago and it actually has good news for us, amen! Matthew 24:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible  This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations.  And then the end will come. Prayer: Father Almighty, let us read each morning the good news in your Word, amen.

Family can sometimes drive us crazy! But we love our family and try our best to stay close and love our families in the good and bad times. Jesus loves us and looks upon us all as His family. We are adopted into the Heavenly family by faith.  Being a parent has helped me understand God's love for me. I cry over my children and I laugh with my children and celebrate good moments with my children. I look upon them with great love and affection just has Heavenly Father looks upon me and you. Romans 8:15 New Living Translation (NLT) So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Prayer: Father, thank you for adopting us into your Heavenly family. May we love our families as you love us, amen.