#lovealwayswins

She handed me the money. I didn't deserve it. I didn't have to earn it. She just gave it to me.
Let me back up a bit. This story is amazing. I don't know how I did it, but I lost a hundred dollars. I don't know where. It was a gift from this lady. When I realized I could not find it, I tore through every place it should be. Two days later I knew I had to admit it was gone. I felt sick. I told this person I lost it. Her response was "I found $100.00. Here it is." When I left this person I was thinking I am not sure this was the same one hundred dollars. I felt like she just wanted me not to feel bad. She knew I did not mean to lose it. She just gave me another hundred. I did not have the heart to go back and discuss. I knew the person's heart was in the right place. I just thought I should leave it alone. I felt really loved. I am in awe of this person and their gracious heart.

Good things do happen! 

I related this story recently to the grace of God. He loves me so much. He gave me forgiveness for all my wrong doing. I like the story above I did not deserve it. Both God and this lady could have just said "To bad for you." They did not give up on me. They just showed me love with grace.
Why did that lady do that? Why did Jesus die for me? Being on the receiving end of that kind of love prompts me to want to find opportunities to be more gracious in my life.
The rhythm of giving grace destroys the ugliness of darkness and brings us to a life of freedom and light.
Have you considered the changes that can occur in us and our world if we spread grace? Not only to spread grace but be humble enough to receive it.

"For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 
Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (Ephesians 2:8-9 AMP)

Striving. Stressing. Can we stop?


Let's pray:  Father in heaven thank you for your love. Thank you for people who have shown me your love. Help me to be humble and learn from you so that I can pass your grace on. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Martin Luther King

Their house burnt to the ground. There was nothing left. 
When I met this couple just the other day, I asked myself "Why did this happen?" They proceeded to tell me it was an accident and the husband tried to put it out but it spread so fast. My heart ached as she told me the clothes she had on were borrowed. She stopped me and did not want to talk about what she lost. She wanted to talk about God and how faithful he was being to her and her family. She smiled and laughed with me and said with determination "We will remain faithful to God. That is our job. If God asked me to live in a box, then I would live in a box." Faithful. Had I been talking with faithfulness in my recent circumstances? Was I rejoicing and being grateful? Was God getting glory in my life in all my circumstances? My brain did a quick check list. When I talked about my recent pain in my back it was a "Yes". But I wasn't when I talked about some project I was working on.

It sticks in my mind now because truth does that. I will remain faithful to God.

Today is a simple message with a simple question. Are you remaining faithful to God in all you say and do?

It is not always easy. But imagine what our country would be like if we remained faithful. Martin Luther remained faithful till his death. It is a good reminder that we remain faithful to God. But it also is important to remain faithful to people with respect and dignity. It starts with small conversations and care. We have a way to go in the racial divide still in this country. 

"When you cultivate a spirit of curiosity about differentness, you'll end up enriched." @BillHybels
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you pray with me: God help me to remain faithful to you and others today. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

#STARBUCKS

Dear Friend:

On January 1, 2015 this happened.
"That'll be thirty cent" said the cashier at Starbucks. "Thirty Cents!" declared the shocked customer. "Yeah!" blurted out the Starbucks guy. The guy in front of you had extra on his gift card. He told me to pay it forward to the next customer." The customer smiled and went to find the gift card guy. I saw them shake hands and chat. Both parted with smiles on their faces.
When I see things like this happen right in front of me I am reminded that there is still goodness and kindness around me despite what the "news stations" tell me. Once in a while a warm and fuzzy story will be reported, but for the most part I see doom and gloom.
I think seeing those people in Starbucks was a reminder that I can set all the goals I want like lose weight, more exercise blah, blah, blah...
What matters is showing love to others.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33 NIV).
My prayer for the New Year:
Father in heaven help me to seek first the kingdom of heaven. Help me to make things right with you and follow you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Follow Jesus in the New Year! He will direct your path. Give yourself a break.  Do the best you can in each moment and leave the rest to God.

BE PEACE A FORCE TO RECKON WITH

I want to give you a big hug and tell you it is going to be okay!!!
I was thinking what would I want someone to say to me at this time of the year? What would you want someone to say to you? Maybe...it's going to be okay. I love you. I know you are doing the best you can do. You're okay. Maybe just give someone a big hug.
Expectations that are too high for co-workers, friends, family, strangers, store sales people anyone is dangerous at this time of year.
I am talking to myself here. I am praying that God will be my loyal friend, calming presence and all the love I need.
As I write this I have on you tube replay "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."
If you want certain words spoken to you. Say those words to others. It's probably what they need to hear too! It's like a boomerang it will come back to you some special way.
My daughter when she was eight years old tugged on my pant leg and said "Mom it's not about the things we do at Christmas it's about JESUS!" Give all of Christmas to Him.
Jesus + you= Christmas

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)
Peace a force to be reckoned with.

S IS FOR SPREAD

Mae stole the dime from her cousin's pile of sorted money that he just spilled out of his piggy bank. She could finally get that paper doll she had her eye on in the dime store. Score! She sat that afternoon changing the dolls outfit and really enjoying her collection of dolls. The year was 1930.
Fast forward till about six years ago. Mae was getting ready to write her story of how she found the love of Christ. She was to use the story to "Spread" the good news of Christ's life. Pondering in her heart "What story could she use?" The remembrance of the day she stole Teddy's dime came to her mind. Her talk explained no matter how small the sin, sin is sin. The conviction stirred in her heart. How can she make it right? This many years later would it even matter to Teddy? Does he really need to know? It was on her heart and her desire was to make it right. Mae picked up a piece of stationary and began to write the story to Teddy. She explained about how the day he was counting his money and she stole the dime to buy the paper doll. How she regretted it and wanted to make it right. That over the years she had realized that she has done other things wrong too! Her heart was full of remorse until one day she learned of the love of Jesus and how He came into the world to forgive us all our sins (no matter how big or small) and extend the free gift of eternal life. She put a dime in the letter and asked him to forgive her. 

A couple of years later Teddy's daughter, Deb, contacted Mae to let her know her father had died, that she saw the letter and she believed Teddy made a confession of faith and received the grace of Jesus. She had read the letter and was touched by this random act of kindness. She had questions to ask. Mae had a chance to explain. The two of them struck up a relationship that has grown strong even to this day. Deb found Christ.

You see our random acts of kindness can "Spread" all over in so many ways that we cannot even imagine. Or can you imagine? Think about it? If you help or write someone and someone gets the news of the act and then they are touched and feel driven to touch someone else with the same touch. A flash would occur and SPREAD ALL OVER THE EARTH. 
Then Jesus said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and SPREAD the Message of God’s good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned."

Mary is to have a baby and name Him Jesus for he will save the people from their sins.
Faith. Grace. Love.


Spread. Good News. Purpose for life. Healing power. 
PRAYER:  Father thank You for sending Your son into the world to love and forgive us. Please give me opportunities to spread this good new. Amen.

A IS ASK

Ask. Maybe your wondering if He really exists.
"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Luke 11:10 NIV).

A IS FOR APPROACH

A is for Approach
The agent at the counter blurted out "Well I see the reservation for your two friends but Ma'am I don't see your name." What? "I reserved and paid for all three in one reservation" I calmly replied. She kept punching buttons on her computer and again she declared "No, I don't see that." I just felt surprisingly calm. "Please check again."
I kid you not. When this incident popped up it flashed in my mind what I read just this morning.

"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18 NIV).

I sensed God's peace.I am not always this good. Ask my family.
It was minutes and the agent looked up at me and said "That's weird it just appeared. I see your reservation." I breathed a sigh of relief and we got our seat assignment and went to the gate.

This season you will encounter longer lines at stores, sold out items, people cutting in lines, lack of parking spots at the mall, crowds, more traffic, full restaurants, slow computer, computer orders blanking out or not going through...
God gives us guidelines to live by. Will we be able to restrain ourselves in the moment.  

What will your approach be to deal with these situations? Will you let it all get you emotionally fed up?
More importantly busyness can get you so frazzled? When you get up Christmas morning will you be ready to  approach the baby Jesus?

Make a plan of how you will approach things with the Spirit of Christ.
Laugh give a big "HO, HO, HO" when things get tense!
Think of the trendy slogan "Keep calm and carry on..."
Give love and you will get love back.
As the day approaches then you will be ready for the King of Glory!