That's Gotta Hurt!

This photo came up on our timeline a couple of days ago, and many have commented about it. It doesn't take much for my daughter and I to find something hilarious in the midst of a routine day. We posed for this photo at a Pumpkin Patch and of course Staci would caption it "Hmm....that's gotta hurt!" LOL! Good news, it's just a straw scarecrow so it's really not hurting, but what about us? Have you said those words "It hurts so much." Maybe we were actually hurting physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually or some other way. We can share our sad or painfuly story and someone just might say, "That's gotta hurt".

But what if those "gotta hurt" times are part of the Master Plan -- just the "set up" for the "punch line" that is on its way in our lives? I loved hearing Michael Jr. (a Christian comedian who, is hailed as one of today’s most gifted comedians) tell about his "hurting" to living-life-large story. . Michael Jr. got his start when George Wallace took him to the legendary Comedy & Magic Club. The club is the home of Jay Leno and “The Tonight Show” staff. The club’s owner slipped the unknown comic, Michael Jr., onstage to perform. A week later, he was performing at the “Just for Laughs” comedy festival in Montreal where he became the first comedian to ever appear live via satellite on “The Tonight Show.” That performance catapulted Michael’s career. He explained that for years he'd been practicing for this moment. Then one day.....he was ready for the BIG TIME.

He explained that as a kid, he and his friend made a pact to help each other stop cursing. They would punch each other in the chest as hard as they could if they heard each other cursing. "THAT'S GOTTA' HURT!" That made him stop cursing because it hurt too much. And way back then....he was already practicing the "set up" for his "clean" comedy act that would open doors in his future.

He went on to talk about "the things from our past" -- some of those hurtful things -- the bad relationship, dysfunctional family, the divorce, the illness, the loss of a loved one -- are those very things that God uses to catapult us. So we practice and practice and then it's GAME TIME! Our gift will make room for us. A comedian sets up his story or joke, and then a shift happens that goes the opposite direction and that's when the punch line happens. That punch line MAKES the joke. It makes everything make sense. The "That's Gotta' Hurt" times, as well as "Atta Boy!" times -- God uses it all for good......"the punch line".

God is working in our lives. There's some incredible set-ups coming. We must keep practicing right where we are. Practice makes perfect. When that door opens, we'll be able to walk right into the destiny and purpose God planned for us all along.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Coincidences or Divine Appointments?

You've got to love it when a young person is willing to come to a slightly "mature" person ;-) for counsel. You know, they know, the wisdom that's inside them. Very, smart and wise young person. When I received an email from a sweet friend from my church, Megan, asking if I'd look over a project she's doing for her Senior year at Bishop Kelley, I was honored and pleased. She selected the importance of inner beauty for her project. Yes, extremely, wise young lady. But, even better, what seemed to be a simple appointment to review a project, turned into a God-designed appointment. My sweet girl Shawntel Wuerch and the boys were here with me in Tulsa which was perfect timing for both of us to review Megan's project. Sweet opportunity to talk about the inner beauty that God desires from us -- that beauty that comes from within and shines so brightly in our lives. Shawntel is exemplary in both inside and outside beauty. Divine set-up.

Before Megan came to my home, her Mom sent over this photo of Shawntel and Megan ten years ago. Shawntel was the guest speaker for our Women of the Church OfThe Madalene and that night she told her Miss America story -- about her road from a little town, Muldrow, OK to Miss America, how she entered simply to earn scholarship monies to attend college. But God had bigger things in mind for her, and He does for each of us as well. Just like the road to Miss America, with its twists and turns and ups and downs, being the journey God planned for Shawntel, a simple appointment to review a project just may be the "set up" for Megan that started ten years ago when she was excited to have her photo taken with Shawntel. Yesterday, Megan was wearing a Bishop Kelley soccer shirt. Shawntel asked her if she played soccer. Indeed she does, and of all things, her coach is my nephew, Troy Tokarchik. Who knew another little "set-up" to show we're in the same family!

What if each day we started taking note of the coincidences....er.... the divine set-ups, providential circumstances and appointments that come our way that point us in the direction of our God-given destiny? Megan had a project to do. She was impressed to do it on God's definition of beauty. What if this project is the "seed" that Megan is planting for her future? What if what we are doing today are the seeds we're planting for the difference makers and world changers God destined us to be?

DisAPPOINTMENT or His APPOINTMENT

Day 301 of Photo Inspirations -- DisAPPOINTMENT or His APPOINTMENT
Did some-ONE or some-THING really disappoint you?   We can't stop disappointment, but we can stop staying stuck in it. I know how easy it is to dwell on something or someone that hurt me.  But, that gets us nowhere.  I remember the void I felt when my sweetheart graduated to heaven.  When I would dwell on that void, sadness and grief would try to fill me and I would become miserable.  But, when I would snap out of that dwelling place to go to the "secret place of the Most High" -- the better place, I'd experience joy, gladness, comfort and peace.  .

God has incredible plans for us and the enemy of our souls would like to keep us from ever experiencing those plans and just stay "put" in woe and distress. God's purpose for our lives goes way beyond times of disappointment. In fact, that disappointment today may just be the SET UP for His APPOINTMENT where hope is found and comeback has major assignments that produce many successes and joys. That's what happened to me.  My days are filled with purpose and I know that I'm walking in my destiny, getting to bring others with me on this road.

I saw Christine Caine's daily post a few days ago that really inspired me. She said "Isn’t it interesting that the word "appointment" comes from within the word disappointment? I’ve often marveled at that because I’ve seen again and again how disappointments take something FROM us: a dream, a piece of our hearts – maybe whole chunks of it. But disappointment GIVES us something too: a gift, an opportunity, the possibility of creating change. This means we can move from the valley of the shadow of death to new horizons and bring others with us on that road."

Yesterday my blog was about the steps of a comedian's joke.  First he provides the set up, then he goes another direction with the punchline.  For example, Michael Jr. told how his 4 year old son came to him and said, "Daddy I want to be a doctor when I grow up!"  Michael Jr. was so excited and happy about his son's aspirations.  Then his son said "Or a dinosaur!" LOL!  (The set up.....shift happened.....and then the punchline.)

Let's remember God is in the "set-up" and appointment business.  There are many future God-appointments on the other side of whatever disappointment we may be encountering today.

God has got your name on His appointment schedule.  He'll be right on time.  Don't you be a minute late!

That's Gotta Hurt!

Day 300 of Photo Inspirations -- That's Gotta Hurt!!!
My daughter,Staci, and I posed for this photo on Saturday -- Staci's caption for the photo "Hmm....that's gotta hurt!"  LOL!  Well, that's just a scarecrow so it's not hurting, but what about us?  That could be said of many of us today, whether we're actually hurting physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually or any other way.  We'll share our "struggling" story and hear in reply ..."That's gotta hurt".  And, we'd think..."Indeed, it does."

But what if those "gotta hurt" times are just the "set up" for the "punch line" that is on its way in our lives? Yesterday, we heard Michael Jr. (a Christian comedian who, is hailed as one of today’s most gifted comedians).  Michael Jr. got his start when George Wallace took him to the legendary Comedy & Magic Club  The club is the home of Jay Leno and “The Tonight Show” staff. The club’s owner slipped the unknown comic, Michael Jr. onstage to perform. A week later, he was performing at the “Just for Laughs” comedy festival in Montreal where he became the first comedian to ever appear live via satellite on “The Tonight Show.”   That performance catapulted Michael’s career.  He explained that for years he'd been practicing for this moment.  Then one day.....he was ready for the BIG TIME.

He explained that as a kid, he and his friend made a pact to help each other stop cursing.  They would punch each other in the chest as hard as they could if they heard each other cursing.  "THAT'S GOTTA' HURT!"  That made him stop cursing because it hurt too much.  And way back then....he was already practicing his "set up" for his "clean" comedy act that would open doors in his future.

He went on to talk about "the things from our past"  -- some of those hurtful things -- the bad relationship, dysfunctional family, the divorce, the illness, the loss of a loved one -- are those very things that God uses to catapult us.   So we practice and practice and then it's GAME TIME!  Our gift will make room for us.  A comedian sets up his story or joke, and then a shift happens that goes the opposite direction and that's when the punch line happens.  That punch line MAKES the joke.  It makes everything make sense.  The "That's Gotta' Hurt" times, as well as "Atta Boy!" times --  God uses it all for good......"the punch line".

God is working in our lives.  There's some incredible set-ups coming.   We must keep practicing right where we are.  Practice makes perfect -- when that door opens, we'll be able to walk right into the destiny and purpose God planned for us all along.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Surprise! We've Got White Stuff

Day 76 of Photo Inspirations -- SURPRISE!   We've Got White Stuff!
And, thankfully, that white stuff isn't more snow -- it's our beautiful Tulsa Dogwoods in bloom.    I'll admit it!   I'm quite excited about this "white stuff" -- even as excited as I was for the snowy "white stuff" here just a couple of weeks ago. How soon the weather can change in Oklahoma. Monday, it was in the 80's -- today, the 50's. Actually, the inconsistent weather is one of the reasons why I love it here. Each new day can be full of surprises!

Speaking of surprises, I'm reading Mark Batterson's "Draw the Circle" 40-Day Devotional book and he says this: “But God always has a holy surprise up His sovereign sleeve. And when we pray, God throws surprise parties!” And it's so true. If we'll trace it back, every blessing or divine appointment or miracle that comes our way was a "set-up" by God.....because we prayed about it and just really expected that one day we'd witness His perfect timing for answering that prayer. God's Word backs this up...."You have not, because you ask not" - James 4:2. He wants to hear from us, and taking a time out for a little talk with Him is what matters to Him.

I can recount so many surprises (an unexpected check in the mail, an unexpected encounter with someone that led to great opportunity, being given something for FREE instead of having to pay for it, winning a trip, being given a car, someone showing up at our door wanting to buy one of our properties NOW, being the winner of a raffle, having a debt PAID IN FULL -- unexpectantly -- all surprises. And when one of those surprises shows up, I often look up to heaven and say, "You did that, didn't YOU? I live in the FOG -- Favor of God. Is it because I'm better, more favored or blessed than anyone else?  Heavens no!   I simply live prayerfully, and in an "expectant" mode that "Something good is going to happen to me today!"   I'malways on the look-out for God's surprises!  

My surprise blessing yesterday was driving through town and seeing all of those beautiful Dogwoods in bloom. It's nearly Spring and new life is starting to show itself, and surprise us.  And,  the all-time greatest surprise?   Resurrection Sunday will soon be here when we celebrate the ORIGINAL SURPRISER showing up ALIVE AND WELL!