FB Quotes

Have you ever noticed how on one particular social media website a lot of the pictures with quotes posted on them are usually motivational quotes? I have. Why do we feel the urge to post these and share them?

Because we all need encouragement or motivation. Life in our complex world is so rushed and stressed and all some people need is just a word of encouragement.

Next time you see a colleague looking stressed or a little down, how about going to them and putting a hand on their shoulder and just saying, “hey, I know how you feel and chin up.”

I'm sure their face will light up with a smile and that warmth will soon become contagious :-)

Thicker soles

To my disappointment my both shoes of my little black suede boots cracked across the middle on the same day last week. On Friday night I thought I would scout Clearwater mall and see if I could find another pair I liked. Nada!

Saturday morning meant the hunt was on again, so this time I decided to try my local Hub store. Bingo! I found a cute set of black short boots and this time with much thicker soles. I'm sure hoping they will prove to be much stronger and last longer.

In our faith too we will find that there are times when we thought we had a sure thing and it proves too weak to sustain us. It is at times like these when we need to search the word of God and do a little bit more than just glance over a few scriptures, but dig in and ensure that we have a strong grasp on scripture.

To achieve this it helps to have a bible study guide. There are many wonderful scholars who have taken the time to study scripture and put it across to us in ways that make it easier to understand. If you don't currently have a bible study guide, then I encourage you to try and get one as it will be very valuable to you in your spiritual growth path.

Take the hand

So often in life we face situations where life has clapped us hard.  We feel down and out and we cannot make sense of the disaster we find ourselves in.

It is at times like these that well meaning friends try to come alongside us to help.  Honestly sometimes their advice sucks, but there is always that one friend who tells us the truth whether we like to hear it or not.

Sadly our pride often stands in the way and even when we finally realize that they are right, we are unwilling to listen.

I'd like to encourage you to take the hand.  Reach out and grab onto what they are offering you and you may just find that your path to success is quicker than you think.

So simple

Have you ever seen something, an idea, a business or even a product and thought to yourself, “That's so simple, why didn't I think of that?” Well, that is because so often we complicate life to the point where even the obvious goes completely unnoticed.

Faith is like that. It really is that simple, to just believe in Christ and the resurrected life that He offers. We sometimes read scripture and try to find some complex deep meaning when all the while the truth is right in front of us.

I'd like to challenge you today to look at faith a little more simply and just believe. After all, Jesus said, “If you have faith like a mustard seed....” Allow scripture to speak to you about the simple truths of God and you will find yourself deeply touched.

Dishes, dishes, dishes

Two hectic days later I finally had to catch up on dishes. Three loads later they are finally all done. Okay, I do have a small counter top machine, just thought I'd mention that before you pictured my entire kitchen full of dishes.

Catching up on dropped tasks can be really hectic. Thankfully our relationship with God is not a task we have to perform, it is just that, a relationship. God values every minute we take to turn our thoughts towards Him.

All God longs for is for us to turn our hearts and thoughts towards Him whenever we can. Yes, we do need to spend time in the word to grow in our relationship with Him, but communion with God encompasses our entire walk with Him and not just our learning.

So next time you collapse into bed and remember at haste that you have not had much time to fellowship with God, simply say, “Lord I love you,” and I can guarantee you it will bring a smile and warm the heart of God.

Mind shift

I have found myself recently looking at questions of my life and future and realising that I am going to have to make some changes if I really want to see my dreams and goals fulfilled. It is very hard to change set perceptions and beliefs. The question that arises is why should I change? Well unfortunately you have to change to get different results.

Is our faith any different? No! Jesus whole life and death present the new believer with challenges that change the way we think. From believing in the virgin birth to accepting that a loving and just God would send His Son to die a horrifying death for our salvation, requires that we challenge our perceptions of who God is.

One may think that the disciples may have had it a little easier as they at least got to walk and talk with the man who healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and even raised a man from death, but they too were challenged with their beliefs. Every sermon Jesus preached went radically against the known beliefs of the time.

In faith and in life we are going to be challenged to change our thought patterns. I challenge you today not to back away from this in fear but to tackle the adventure and know that God will lead you in your journey to a life of deeper faith in Him.

Mother's just can't help it

Have you noticed something about mother's? They actually can't help themselves but to give blessings to their children. I know I've certainly tried to gently steer my mom away from her window shoping when we go to malls together. Lol! :-)

I seldom succeed. She usually finds something somewhere that she knows I need and she's not leaving until she has blessed me.

Isn't God the same? He blesses us with talents, gifts and abilities. Most importantly He blessed us with His Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

I hope that all the mom's had a wonderful mother's day and have a blessed week ahead!