Is Your Home Built on Solid Rock or Sinking Sand?

We were just kids when we married (I was 17; he was 18). Funny the dreams we had back then. Often, we'd go “looking” for our dream home…. the newest mobile home models, in hopes of owning one someday. That was pie-in-the-sky dreaming back then, because my husband was a college student, and I was working my first $1.25/hr clerical job. Our “dream” changed when his uncles, who were in construction, took in a home on trade, and sold it to us. We purchased that cute little home in 1967 for $7,000. Our house payment was $67 a month which seemed astronomical at the time. A couple of years later, we sold it for $14,000 – we thought we had struck it rich! How far we came over the years of maturing, growing our family and depending on God more, as we took many more steps of faith”. And, each step continued to solidify our foundation.

In the 70s, we moved to Oklahoma, and, before we knew it, our young dreams came true. We purchased a mobile home that backed up to Lake Keystone. And, you’re probably thinking, “Are you kidding me? You bought a mobile home that backed up to the water in "Tornado Alley"?” Indeed we did. And we encountered many opportunities to stretch our faith, especially during every one of those tornados that came barreling down the lake. Thanks be to God -- we weathered them all. And with each one, whether it was a literal storm (tornado) or financial storm, or illness storm, or relationship storm, our HOME's foundation grew more solid. It was with each storm, that our HOME and our lives, became more secure and blessed.

Jesus likened the person who hears and keeps His teachings to a wise man who builds his house on the ROCK (Matthew 7:24). Not even the fiercest storm can bring it down. So I ask you today....solid rock or sinking sand? On what foundation are you choosing to build your life, and the lives of your family, today? If we want life’s truest treasures -- say "NO" to sinking sand, and say "YES" to building upon the Rock of Ages. It sure does make for a blessed, secure and comfortable home AND life!

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat!

You know the deal -- when we stretch our faith, and go for it: "Yes, we're buying a house" or "Yes, we're going to start our family -- we're going to have a baby" or "Yes, I'm changing jobs -- the pay is less, but it's what I love to do" or "Yes, I will run a marathon" or "Yes, I will start a Bible Study in my home" or "Yes, I'm quitting smoking" or "Yes, we're moving!" It's all about TRUSTING God to hold us up, when we stretch our faith to "walk on water"!

It's that first step that holds so many of us back. But, it's time for us to get out of our comfort zone. Sometimes God has a way of shaking things up around us to make us so uncomfortable that we will strive to move from where we are, to the next level of our destiny. And, those adversities we are facing? God could be allowing them to push us out of the boat and into the deep, so He can bless us with a new level of faith and maturity and blessings! It's time to live with "no regrets" and for us to learn to let go of our fears and insecurities, and to reach out for life at its fullest. Even if we fall, as Peter did, there will always be SOMEONE to reach out and help us get our balance again! And, by the way, our Lifeguard DOES walk on water -- so need to worry or fret!