Ooh! Aah!

            I have no shame! I’m in my 40s and I still love Christmas trees and all their shiny decorations. November 1st, I’m ready to put my tree up. After we decorate it, we like to stand back and admire it . “Oooh! Aaah!”

If you are like me, you have newer shimmering ornaments that go out front for everybody to see. And you have some old dull ones where their color has faded or the paint has chipped off. You are tempted to throw them away, but you are too attached to them, so they get hidden in the back of the tree.  That way nobody can see just how bad they really are.

 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are new creatures.  We are to shed the old self and take on the new one.  Unfortunately, a lot of times we try to hang on to the old habits.  We’re attached to them and don’t want to let them go, so we hide them from view.  Take a moment to step back and look at how your soul is decorated.  How many of those old habits that we’ll call drab ornaments are still hanging around?  Maybe it’s time to throw them out.  That way you have more room the glistening ones.  Oooh!  Aaah!

OOPS!

Oops!

I say “OOPS!” at least once every Christmas. Sometimes more. Each year I drop ornaments as we decorate the Christmas tree. They shatter upon impact with the hardwood floor. Know what’s the most aggravating about it? It’s never the old balls or the ones that have fallen off of my favorite decoration list. Nope. It’s the new shiny ornaments that I just had to have on my tree.

It’s a shame that bad habits can’t be disposed of easily as the broken ornaments. Just scoop up the pieces and throw them in the trash never to be seen again.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are new creatures. We need to shed the old self and take on the new one. Unfortunately, a lot of times we try to hang on to the old habits. We’re attached to them and don’t want to let them go. In our eyes, they are still shiny and pretty, but in God’s eyes they are the old leftover decorations that need to go.

Step back and look at what you are decorating your soul with. Those old habits that we’ll call ugly ornaments need to be shattered and thrown in the trash, never to be seen again!

EXCITED!

     I love the Pointer Sisters. In case you don’t know who they are, they were a group of sisters who sang together. They started out in the 1970s, but they achieved their greatest success in the 1980s. I had their 1983 album Break Out which had their hit, I’m So Excited. I loved this song and listened to it quite often.

     Why did I like I’m So Excited so much? For one reason, it was very upbeat. I love music that makes me want to move and bob my head. I’m like one of those little dogs you put on your dashboard where the head moves or bobs around while you drive. That’s me. I don’t enjoy listening to slow or draggy music. I know I'm alive when my heart to thumps!  There is a drawback to this kind of pleasure-Its short-lived.
 
   If you want real happiness that lasts, may I suggest some scripture? I looked up some verses that I find inspirational. I hope you find inspiration and excitement about God’s promises and love for us as believers in Jesus.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“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(NIV)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
This is one of my favorites:“but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14(NIV)

Rear View Mirror

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving You All!

Rear View Mirror

“Oh Lord!” That’s what I say when I look in my rear view mirror and see a policeman behind me. As long as he is there, I am self-conscious of everything I do. Am I going the speed limit? Is it the posted speed limit? Am I putting my blinkers on too early or too late? How long am I to sit at a stop sign? Are all my lights working? Is he taking notes of everything I do and don’t do? Yeah, I freak out a little.
Needless to say, I am not as conscientious with my driving when there’s NOT a cop behind me. My attitude is different, so my driving is different. I’m not as worried about getting caught doing something wrong. Isn’t that like the way we are a lot of times with our attitude toward God?

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)


How different would your actions be if you remembered that God knows all? No, I don’t think we should be paranoid like I described myself in the first paragraph. God isn’t waiting for us to miss up so He can write us a ticket. If we’ve been saved, our fine was paid with the blood of Jesus.Here’s the bigger picture. If we have the wrong attitude about the sin in our lives, then how are we going to lead the lost to Christ? How are we to be an example to others?

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness. Titus 2:7(NIV)
May you have a blessed day with no cops in your rear view mirror.

If the Creek Don't Rise

Being a Tennessee girl, I have been raised with many colorful southern “sayings.” I will on occasion discuss these clever phrases and how they relate to the bible.

     As you have probably guessed by now, we southerners can’t always give a simple answer to a simple question. When you ask somebody to do something for you at a later time, you expect to hear a yes, no, or maybe as an answer. But if you’re in the south, you might just hear, “Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.”
     Growing up in East Tennessee, I had heard this phrase many times. I didn’t think about what that phrase really meant until I got older and (hopefully) wiser. I just thought that phrase was supposed to funny and cute. I was so wrong for there’s a big meaning behind that phrase.

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1(NIV)

    In other words, don’t take the future for granted. Only God knows what his plans for tomorrow are and they may or may not be the same as ours. So when somebody answers you with, “Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise,” be rested assured. As long as it’s ialso n God’s plans, they’re going to do whatever they promised you.

Empty Space

No, I’m not going to talk about what’s between my ears. I’m going to talk about outer space, or better yet, the universe. Notice I didn’t capitalize the word universe because that is a pet peeve of mine. What on earth am I talking about?

It saddens me when I hear people talk about getting signs from the universe or stopping to listen to what the universe is telling them. The word universe is just another name for the vast outer space and all the contents therein. “The universe” is not capable of reason or love. It didn’t create you in its image. It didn’t die on a cross for you or resurrect from the dead. It can’t forgive your sins and it can’t get you into Heaven.

“I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,” Isaiah 45:5 (NIV)

Don’t let the world confuse you. The universe is not a god, but it was created by One .

Cows in Texas

Being a Tennessee girl, I have been raised with many colorful southern “sayings.” I will on occasion discuss these clever phrases and how they relate to the bible.



   My mother has a southern saying for almost every occasion. Now, before we go any further, let me say that my mother is a “big cut-up.” She loves to have fun and make people laugh, but she also has a big heart. She tries to help people and she’s raised me to do what is right versus what I want to do or not do.

   So, if you ever hear my mother say, “If it hair-lips every cow in Texas!” you better watch out. Yes she is making a joke, but she is also being very serious. She will do what needs to be done and she’s not afraid to do it. At this point, you better get out of her way.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1(NIV)
   Awesome verse! Talk about the invincible power of God. When you lean on Him, you tap into His strength. Don’t be afraid to do His will and do what He commands you to do or not do. The ones who need to be afraid are the ones trying to discourage and/or stop you. They won’t succeed, even “If it hair-lips every cow in Texas!”
*by the way, we’re from East Tennessee, but I think Texas has many more cows than we do.