Are You Listening?

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

We have a new family member, Jack, a Jack Russell Terrier. Jack is a sweetie pie, cute as a button, the total opposite of Zeke. Jack loves to hunt, he has a field day in our yard running from tree to tree chasing whatever it is that he is chasing. He plays keep away with Zeke, they chase each other around the house, each one trying to keep the ball or stuffed animal away from the other. Jack has never had an accident, he’s not chewed up anything except chew toys. He’s a good dog. But Jack does not listen to me.

I can be calling his name and he’s so focused in on what he’s doing … he totally ignores me. I have to actually go over to him and pick him up for him to stop doing what he’s doing and look at me. Jack does not hear my voice.

Zeke, on the other hand, who has been my best buddy for over five years always hears my voice. Even when I don’t want him to hear me, he does. I cannot say one word without Zeke being at my side. Sometimes I don’t have to even speak, I can just look at him and he’ll come over and lay his head on me. Zeke loves me, he listens for my voice and the second he hears it, he responds.

Sometimes I act like Jack, with God. I am so busy running around doing my thing, I don’t hear His gentle whisperings. He literally has to put a wall up in front of me for me to stop what I am doing and listen.

I want to be more like Zeke in my walk with Jesus. I want to hear His voice, whatever I’m doing – where ever I’m doing it. I want to stay attuned to His call.

I want to be part of His flock. I want to follow HIM.

Father, thank you for allowing me to see this example so clearly. Teach me Lord Jesus, how to hear your voice, no matter what the circumstance.

I Love You Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God’s Blessing Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

Million Copy Give-Away.
    Will You Help?

http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
   it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Throwing Stones

There is an old saying, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones.”  I was reading a story in John the other day where Jesus made a similar statement.  He had been teaching in the temple, when the religious leaders brought before him a woman caught in the act of adultery.  They wanted to know what punishment the woman should have.  The Law of Moses commanded that she be stoned, but Jesus came to bring repentance to sinners; to save them, not destroy them.

The religious leaders were trying to entrap Jesus, to put him between a rock and a hard place.

Jesus encouraged the crowd who were pointing fingers at this woman to look inside themselves.  He urged whoever was without sin in their life to throw the first stone.  And no one could.  One by one, they turned and walked away.  When it was just Jesus and the woman left, he asked her if anyone had condemned her.  She said, “No.” 
 
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, nor did he condone what she had done.  He implored her to move on … and stop doing what she had been doing.

WOW … that is such an encouragement for me.  I don’t have to beat myself up when I make a mistake.  I don’t have to be stoned to death … I simply need to STOP – to ask Jesus for forgiveness and turn away from whatever it was I was doing wrong.

And when others mess up … I need to not throw stones … but take a good hard look at myself.

Father, thank you for this lesson.  Teach me how to keep myself clean and clear; to not throw stones at others.

I Love You Jesus!
   In your name I pray,
   Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Overwhelmed By Love

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
I John 4:7

Today I turned 50 years old. When I was a child, 50 seemed pretty old. As I’ve aged, the number still seemed to be a pretty significant number, in my mind. A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded that my birthday was approaching. I really didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want to say I was 50 years old.

Maybe because if I was really 50, I shouldn’t still mess up so much?

Oh, I mean well, but some days I feel like a kid with my ups and downs and life stuff.

Maybe someone who is 50 should be more responsible – more mature.

Maybe being 50 would mean that I shouldn’t bounce so much?

Maybe it would mean that I shouldn’t drink too much coffee and be silly?

Maybe it would mean that I was on the ‘down’ side of life?

I’m not really sure what I thought would happen. I just knew I wasn’t looking forward to it.

What if? …  always an interesting question.

But then … I felt God saying to me .. “EMBRACE YOUR DAY … EMBRACE YOUR LIFE … EMBRACE ME!”

Okay … I can embrace God .. I want to embrace God. But … do I want to embrace 50?

Okay God … I’m diving into 50 – HEADFIRST!  It’s only a number, and if you gave me this number, for this day, for this year, for this time. I’M IN!

I accepted dinner out with my two best friends … MEXICAN … a good time PROMISED!

Okay … that was easy enough.

Dinner cooked by Bobby … I can invite a couple of friends … okay … I always enjoy that.

Then I decided all I really wanted for myself was to have a pedicure … I LOVE PRETTY TOES.

So … Thursday, after work, I went and got my Pedicure … and I was happy!

I came home to cards in the mail … surprise money! WOW … how very special that someone loved me enough to remember my birthday with a special gift.

Then my friend, who had had to leave the country suddenly two weeks before arrived back to her home. I was so excited to see her when I went to take care of her dogs. Even though she was leaving again shortly, I felt relief that she was back and ready to close the chapter of her life here in Naples.

I can go on and on …. from the time I awoke today, to even now sitting here on the couch beside my Bobby, I have been surrounded by love, people who I love, people who love me, people who love Jesus.

Dinner out with my friends turned into a WONDERFUL SPECIAL EVENING!  They threw me a surprise party and instead of dinner with 2, God turned it into a blessing of dinner with over 30!! I was tongue tied, I was so surprised. I’d never had anyone throw me a surprise party before and it was just the BEST evening … spending time with so many people that I love and appreciate!

I believe God gave me a glimpse of heaven today and I am so very thankful …GOD IS LOVE.

Today … LOVE FOUND ME.
TODAY … LOVE FLOWS FROM ME.

Father … thank you for filling me with LOVE … thank you for such a special family that you have given to me. Thank you JESUS for giving me a New LIFE through You.

And thank you to all my friends … I truly do love you!

God Bless you!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Victim or Victor?

On Sunday night we were reading the story of the healing at the pool, from John, Chapter 5.  As the story goes, Jesus had gone up to Jerusalem for one of the feasts, and he was walking through the pool of Bethesda, where many disabled people hung out.  It was said that once a day, an angel stirred the water of the pool, and if you could get into the water, you would be healed. So this was a popular hangout for those with infirmities.  Jesus came upon a man lying by the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years.  He asked the fellow an interesting question, “Do you want to get well?”

 And the guy had an even more interesting answer, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Okay … So this guy made the effort to get to the pool every day, but when the water got stirred, he could never get into it for the healing. 

Seems to me, if I had someone help me get to the pool, after 38 years, I’d be asking them to stick around one day and help me get into the water.  Or something?  But the guy had determination, he hadn’t given up … he was continuing to make the effort to get there.

At first the guy’s response sounds like he’s a victim to his situation, but then we see the evidence of perseverance – he continues to come to the pool, in spite of the lack of  healing.  I believe this guy has some character.  How difficult would it be to continue dragging yourself to those waters day in and day out with no positive results?

There are always two ways to look at our situations.  We can be the victim, blaming others for what is going on in our lives.  Sometimes it just feels good to have that pity party for ourselves – but does it do us any good?  Do we feel better afterwards?  Are we any closer to Jesus?  Are we any closer to freedom or healing?

Or we can be the victor … taking responsibility for our actions and our reactions.  Although no wrong doing on our part caused the situation, we are looking for a positive way to remedy it.

Paul tells us:  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

So … am I a victim – living in the unfairness of my past, or a Victor, straining towards what is ahead! 

Father, help me to let my actions and my life portray the victory that I have already won through YOU!  Thank you that YOU are the Prize … life eternal with you. 

 I Love You Jesus!
   In Your Name I Pray,
   Amen

od Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Bad Morning

I like to send my girls off to school with a smile on their face and hugs in their hearts. So it’s especially frustrating when they seem to be grumpy, and irritated with one another all morning.

“How rude!”

“Stop it!”

“Don’t!”

Grrr! It can make ME grumpy just listening to them!

That’s the kind of morning we had today. My heart just deflates at the thought of them leaving for school with the last memory of me being one of a chastising mother getting on their case about their attitudes!

The world is a tough place and school can be such a tough environment for our children. I want mine to have warm thoughts and feelings of home and of me. I want them to know that someone is in their corner. I want them to have the base at home to give them the courage and self esteem they need to navigate their own path and stand their ground against peer pressure.

If they leave for school feeling grumpy and frustrated with me, then I don’t think they will be very confident to go against the pack (should they need to.)

As I was watching them load up onto the bus this morning, my heart was saddened at the thought of sending them off to school on a sour note. But I thought, “I can still pray for them.” I can pray that their moods and their day will change. I can pray that somewhere, somehow, the things I teach them will permeat their hearts and lives and give them the roots they need.

As I was watching the bus take off – I saw a shadow of my oldest daughter in the backseat waving to me. I waved back and continued to see her waving at me until the bus was out of sight. It made me feel good. Maybe who I am and what I stand for is outlasting the few bad moments we had on one morning. Because my face and my hand waving at her — was the last thing she was concentrating on as she pulled away.

That’s gotta count for something.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez/Founder – EmphasisOnMoms.com

Happy First Day of School

Today is the first day of school … summer vacation is officially over. When we woke Carson this morning, Chase’s first words to him were, “Happy first day of school!” He was so excited to be going back to school, seeing his friends, getting back on a schedule.

This can be a happy day or a sad day, depending how you look at it. Chase chooses it to be a happy day!

Yesterday, our pastor was sharing a message on attitude. Our attitude affects our outlook. Our outlook affects our outcome.

There is a lot of negative in the world today. If we allow it, it can consume our thinking. And we become what we think: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ( Proverbs 23:7)

But Paul tells us what to focus our thoughts on:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:7-9)

Your choice …

Father, thank you for showing me what to focus my thoughts on. You are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to keep my eyes and my mind on YOU!
This might not be the first day of school for me, but help me to look at today as a new day to serve you!

I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

What Truly Matters

A friend of mine’s house burned in November. Their son (who has Downs Syndrome) accidentally started the fire.  My heart has been breaking not only for the things they lost – but also for them as they deal with the knowledge of what their son accidentally did.

As I was reading a news article on the story, I saw that they had interviewed my friend’s husband about the fire. Do you know what he said? He said, “The house can be replaced, but my wife and kids can’t. I love my son more today than I did yesterday, it’s just an accident.”

I started to cry. What a great example of love and what truly matters in life.  We have things that are important to us. We hold our photographs and videos close to our heart, we have gifts that our spouses or children have given us, and we have items that may have been handed down from past generations, or that remind us of a certain place or time. All of these things hold special meaning to us; yet when it comes down to it – it is our families’ and the people in our hearts and lives that truly matter.

I know that I used to get so intense when something special of mine was broken or ruined. In the last couple of years, I have lightened up a little bit – especially when I know that it was purely accidental. I am learning that “things” as important and special as they are to me, just don’t mean as much as the people I love and care about.  How I handle a situation and whom I invest in as a person, means more to me.  If I break my child’s heart over something they ruined, all I really have are two broken things.  I’m not saying that we shouldn’t teach our children to be responsible, or even try to make restitution for something that they have broken or wrecked. I am saying that who we are and how we love each other is everything.

I want to love like my friend’s husband. I want to love that fully, that completely that nothing else can touch it. I want to be able to carry in me the ability to forgive greatly.

We often say that our families matter the most to us, but our temperaments and actions don’t often follow suit and carry out that attitude. When put to the test, would you be able to forgive so easily and love so freely at great cost to yourself?  Our Lord did.

I want to learn that kind of love.

~ Dionna Sanchez is Founder of the Emphasis On Moms Ministry at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com

She dedicates this article to the Campbell family.

Parenting Prayer Partners

Moms tend to try and travel the roads of parenting by themselves.  I think a lot of us do this because we’re afraid others will perceive us as “inept” or “failures” if we ask for help, advice, or support.

How wrong we are!

In the days of our ancestors, moms depended on one another to learn and survive!  They would congregate together to help a fellow woman in need.  But today we think we need to have it all together.  Yet everyone needs someone.  Women especially, were created for fellowship.

One thing you can do for yourself is to seek out and find another mom who can be a prayer partner with you.  Find someone whom you can relate to both spiritually and in personality.  Ask her to commit to pray for you and your family.  You will commit to pray for her and her family as well.  When you have a commitment and support system like this, it is a real bonding and growing experience.  You will be there for each other helping each other raise and guide your children in the Lord.

Keep a prayer journal for one another and record praises and milestones in each other’s lives.  You will feel encouragement and hope like never before just knowing that someone’s “got your back.”

Don’t try to fly solo anymore as a mom, wife, or woman.  It’s time to get the love and support you need and deserve.

~ Dionna Sanchez encourages moms through her website and blog – subscriber to her free monthly newsletter for moms at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com/newsletter.htm

Two Dead Trees

I walked out to my mailbox this morning and I noticed that two more of my Royal Palms are dead. I had one die about a year ago … now two more are dead. I was pondering how the trees beside the dead trees could be so strong and healthy, why are they thriving, yet the tree beside them is gone? They all received the same nutrients, the same water, the same amount of sunshine.

I guess something got into the tree and killed it from the inside, there is no outward sign of damage.

I think this is a great analogy of what happens to us spiritually.

There can be a group of people, all following after Jesus, all connecting to each other, and to Jesus; all looking good on the outside, but for whatever reason, deception finds its way into someone and they start believing the lies and they fall away from each other and from God and the next thing we know, they are gone. Their spirit is dead.

If you are connected to someone and you see them pulling away, reach out to them before it’s too late.

If you are pulling away from God, from others, please find someone that you trust, reach out and ask for help.

My most favorite verse in The Bible is John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

It’s too late for my trees … but it’s not too late for us.

Father, thank you for giving us life … to the full! Life with you is full. Father help those who are hurting today to reach out and receive your healing truth. Encourage those who see others hurting to take the time to invest into their lives, to let them know that someone cares. Thank you Jesus for healing hurting hearts.

I love you Jesus!
In your name I pray,
Amen

God Bless You!
Joyce

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

A Part Of Me Is Missing

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!
I John 3:1

On Wednesday afternoon, I put the boys on a plane. They were heading to Ohio, to spend two weeks with my mom and dad. It’s summertime, they didn’t have a lot going on this month, so Bobby and I decided it would be nice for them to spend some time with their grandparents. We found a direct flight, it was affordable, my parents were agreeable. But I had no idea how much I would miss those two little guys.

I’ve never been overly protective of the boys. Bobby takes them camping once a month from October to May and I always enjoy the time alone. The other scout moms who camp, always envy my two nights a month without my family. They’ve spent nights with their friends on sleepovers. I even allow them to stay home some days while I’m at work, they like the responsibility of taking care of each other.

But the last couple days have been very difficult for me. I miss my sons. A part of me is missing, and it is uncomfortable. The house is quiet, yes, but I don’t like it. I miss the hum of the boys playing in their room. I miss the “Mom, I’m still hungry,” from Chase before I even get up from the dinner table. But most of all, I miss tucking them into bed at night and praying with them.

I have called them many times since Wednesday … and I am happy to hear their voices, but it’s not the same. I miss their presence in my life.

I believe that I’m experiencing a small taste of what God feels … when His children are not in His Presence. God created each and every person in His image, He knew us before we were born. He has a plan and a purpose for us, and when we choose to walk away from Him, for whatever reason, He misses us, He wants us back with Him. He loves us.

I know how happy I’ll be when I’m reconnected with Carson and Chase, I can only image the way God feels when we reconnect with Him!

Father, I am so thankful to be connected to you. I don’t want to spend even one day without your presence. I know the boys are fine Lord, I just miss them. Keep them safe Jesus. Give them an extra dose of Your love while they are away.

I love you Jesus!

In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God Bless You!
Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org