I Wanna Go Back…..Maybe NOT!

I’m revving my engine, mentally and physically, as I type this blog today. A lot has been on my plate for the last few days and even more the next days, weeks and even months. I was on the road again after a beautiful three days in Tulsa. Made it to Austin last night -- safe and sound -- on the road again! Lots to do, places to go and people to love,

I heard the David Dunn song, “I Wanna Go Back” again and this time it really resonated with me. The song describes how as we grow older and lose our childlike faith and belief that we can do or be anything. Instead of being grateful for all the abilities we have to drive a huge vehicle on crazy busy highways and byways, and even maintain our lives on our own, take on responsibility and conquer it, and be grateful we even made it through our childhood ups and downs, we digress to wanting to go back. David Dunn sings “I wanna go back to “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. I wanna go back to “This little light, gonna let it shine.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUvxhGRUR3s

This time when I heard the words of that song, I realized how much Jesus does loves me and I truly know it. I’m not just singing words. I’m singing from my very being. He loves ME! He sees me as a beloved daughter and though often I feel like a messed-up kid, He still loves me -- this I know!

Here’s the funny thing. As a kid, I thought God was out to get me when I slipped – maybe a little peek at a friend’s paper to get the answer to a question, or the little fib I told my mom. I feared Him and His big stick. Today, I recognize my mistakes quickly, and do my best to make amends. I feel His arms around me, pulling me into Him and His gentle words: “I forgive you. Do better next time!”

And, about that wanting to go back to “This little light, gonna let it shine” – I’m doing that too. I’m not that little kid any more who thinks God is punishing me for something I did wrong. Once upon a time, I really did think that. I didn’t really understand grace until I grew up and rationalized that the free-flowing grace of my Father is what proves Jesus loves me this know! Not just because the Bible tells me so. I know. God has proven His love and grace for me in abundance – far more than I deserve. So I purpose, first thing EVERY SINGLE DAY – to let my little light shine through my blogs and my “can’t keep it to myself” attitude. I know a good thing – er, a good Father – and I must share Him.

Now, I sing “Jesus loves me this I know” with absolute certainty of that love. I notice that He keeps a watchful eye on me and delivers me safe from harm. I recognize the car that almost ran into me, the misstep that I took and didn’t fall down, the sweet embrace of a friend and I know it’s Him loving me through them. We’re big kids and by now we should be fully aware of God’s love. If we really understood His love, we’d understand He’s smiling at us with a gleam in His eyes -- the same way I watch my kids and grandkids.

If I see my own with the joy of a mother’s heart, I know He sees me with a joy that surpasses my understanding. I know because the same God who created them, created me. He created you. I want to smile back at God with the confidence of a daughter. A daughter who knows “Jesus loves me. This I know, with absolute certainty!” How about you?

Straighten Your Crown, Your Royal Highness!

Yesterday my post featured the blessings of God's inheritance for His children. But not only do we have an inheritance, we are royalty in the family of God! 1 Peter 2:9 says “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

The apostle, Peter, is reminding us of our status as sons and daughters of God; that we are heirs and heiresses to Jesus’ rewards. I've latched onto the word “royalty” and I own it. To me, it means “You’re powerful because of God in you!” What if we actually saw ourselves as the royal daughters and sons of God?

I've always associated royalty and heirs as an entitlement, privileged, born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Not so in God's royal family. We are invited to freely receive the blessings and fruit of royalty because Christ is our BIG brother. Romans 8:31: "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all -- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" How can that be? It's because of God’s amazing grace.

So, we really are royalty and royalty comes with responsibilities. As royal daughters and sons of the Most High God, we should be distinctly aware of our unique position to influence others by our behavior and words. Royalty knows that everything they say will be scrutinized so we must be conscious of our words and actions to make sure others feel loved, cherished, and valued. When we know we are royalty, other people seem to know it too. Even if they can’t explain what it is, people will want our time, attention, words of affirmation and just to be around us.

If we truly believed we are heirs to heaven, would we spend so much time worrying about little things or what someone thinks about us? Knowing how securely placed we are, how loved we are, and how provided for we are, we would start to take on a royal mindset. No longer would we be striving for more money, more power, more followers, or to be “the best.” We’d be pursuing excellence in our work and ministries, by putting people first by loving well, forgiving well, taking criticism with grace and setting examples with how we love and raise our families.

Everyone is craving intimacy with God whether they know it or not, and an encounter with you could be a taste of that for them. All it requires is our agreement with who God says we are. Believe Him when He says, “YOU ARE ROYALTY.” Now, go straighten your crown and go about Kingdom business, Your Royal Highness!

Do You See What I See?

Have you ever looked for something that was right in front of you all the time? I could be wearing my glasses, and be looking for my glasses. I could be looking for my keys and they could be right on the counter in front of me. We could be looking for the rain to stop, and miss the rainbow God sent. We could be taken with the brilliance of the star and miss the baby in the manger. We could be so focused on so many details and miss the ONE that is the guest of honor. Remember Martha in the Bible who was so busy with the details of entertaining, making sure the meal was fit for a king, but she missed the opportunity to sit at the feet of THE KING.

But, even more so, we could be missing God when He dwells right here inside us. “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 He could be pointing out all kinds of wonders and miracles and glimpses of heaven to us and we’re so busy that we miss His signals. Think about it. This Christmas, we've heard and sung so many songs about Him being with us, and we've heard and read many scriptures about Him being with us, and we’ve seen so many evidences of His presence, yet, just maybe….we’re still NOT seeing Him.

What if we REALLY tuned into Emmanuel? What if we sincerely realized we are never alone, because God IS with us?

Let me share with you how I recognize Him in my daily walk. When I’m with my family, I see Him in the twinkling eyes of my grandchildren and in the tenderheartedness of my children as they patiently and devotedly train and instruct their children.

Yesterday, I saw God in my youngest grandson as he did his daily chores. I was so impressed with his attention to the details of being sure just the right amount of feed was in the feeders for his goats, and just the right amount of a different kind of feed for his horse and, and yet another kind for his donkey. I saw him give his horse a Pop Tart to hide the medicine he gave him. I saw him carefully pull out that big wheelbarrow to the barnyard and pick up all the animals’ droppings and then push that wheelbarrow all the way to the pasture. He was so attentive to his responsibilities.

I thought about God’s attention to the details of our lives. He is so a part of our lives that we can rest assured nothing goes unnoticed by Him. God is with us. Just like anyone who would be a passenger in our car, or a guest at our dinner table….. we can talk to Him. We can talk to Him about any, and everything. We can thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the parking places close to the doors of the store, the “bargains” that we may find. I know He is with me, so I'm sensitive to wanting to please Him. And I’ve found that, because I stay close to Him during my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I just remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me…..and I feel His peace right away, and I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – He is with me – He is with YOU! Do you see what I see?

It's a New Dawn, a New Day, a New Life & I'm Feeling Good!

Okay, I admit it.....I AM a morning person. When I wake up, I don’t feel the need to pull the blanket over my head and long for just a few more minutes in bed. In fact, I don't even need an alarm clock -- mine is built-in -- usually, right on time between 6:00 am and 6:30 am. I like to get up, get my thermal mug of coffee, post my morning FB message, and enjoy a few precious quiet moments at the beginning of the day before the phone starts ringing and my daily responsibilities begin.

And, also, (most of the time) I start my day in a state of joy and happiness. I love the feel of a new day, with all the potential of new opportunities and moments to enjoy. I love Michael Buble's rendition of this song: “It’s a new dawn; It’s a new day; It’s a new life, for me, and I’m feeling good!”

Here's the Bible's take on that: "Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 These verses say it's possible to start each new day with a fresh beginning -- clean slate. God promises that His great love for us and unfailing compassion (or mercies, as some translations put it) are new every morning. So, whether we are a morning songbird, or a night owl, the point is that everyday is a brand new day with God. So, say: "Good-bye YESTERDAY, with all your mistakes and worries and fears, and good morning, TODAY, with the opportunity for NEW LIFE!"