Mud Puppies and God.

What is it?! (photo credit: Meg Johnson)

What is it?!

It’s a Mud Puppy Salamander, of course!  Cute, aint he?

God made him.

AND the water he’s floating in, and the rocks and plants around him. God made those, too

And God made you. Cute, ain’tcha?

God thinks so, too. See?…

“For God so loved the world (that means people, like you and me), that He sent His only begotten Son (sent Him to die for us), that whosoever (anybody, everybody. You and me) believeth in Him (Jesus, that is) should not perish (that means we don’t go to hell forever.), but have everlasting life. (forever and ever, with Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit and all the angels. Forever!) (John 3:16)

That’s one big everlasting party! Whoo -Hoo!

photo credit: Sassy Mamma. Click the pic to see source.

Now, God is a gracious host. He invites all people everywhere to come, but He doesn’t force anybody.

The invitation has been sent out to all, but no one HAS to accept it.

It’s in everybody’s mailbox, but only the ones who open it and say, “Yes, I will come.” will come.

How ’bout you? Have you checked your mail? The invitation is there. Will you come?

Jesus will be really happy to see you!

Click the pic to see how to join the party. Who knows? There may even be mud puppies there =] (photo credit: Meg Johnson)

Say What?!

“…habitual weakening of the flesh.” ~Colin Smith, pastor.

I heard that phrase on the radio this morning.  The pastor was explaining, with a charming Irish accent, about strongholds, sins that have a death-grip on our souls.

He explained that each time we say “no” to the flesh we weaken its grasp on us.

Saying “yes”, of course, strengthens the flesh, and makes it harder next time to say “no”.

Sometimes a stronghold — like alcohol, pornography, or anger — can seem too big a monster to resist.

Like a shark circling around us, it’s just a matter of time before we’re  lunch.

So, we offer ourselves up to it again and again.

“Here, fishy, fishy…gulp!”

flickr photo from "OnlybyGrace"

But, to resist, we need only look down at the step in front of us, not all the steps ahead.

Just focus on this moment.

We can say “No”, this time.

And next time it’ll be easier….

and the next..

.and the next.

Baby steps…

“Step by step You’ll lead me

And I will follow you all of my days.”

~~Rich Mullins

And I wonder if it wouldn’t help to imagine God walking on ahead of us.  (I’m on a beach here in my mind.)

Imagine God walking on ahead of you in the sand

Look down at how big His footprint is and put yours firmly inside.

Like a child following along behind his/her daddy.

“And I will seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways.

And step, by step You’ll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days.”

"The Best thing about Sand...God made every grain" photo by "OnlybyGrace"

Let’s go for a walk:

Oh, Father, no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Yet, in the end it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)

You said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” (Revelations 3:19)

I do earnestly repent, Father.  Here’s the sin that I’ve been saying yes to so often lately:______

But, thank you, Father, that, although You DO rebuke us and discipline us, like in that verse above, You also promise NOT to leave us to suffer alone.  You come alongside and help.

You promised that in the very next verse, in fact:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20)

I’m opening the door right now, Father.  Come in.  Bring Your Son and Your Spirit, and let’s have a REAL party!

In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

Have you opened the door?  Wanna meet the One on the other side?  Click on the pic to be introduced:

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock." Rev. 3:20

Stop! Drop! and Pray!

See that tree in the road?  Sometimes life hits us with detours like that.  What do you do?  Panic?  Bite your nails?  Whine? Down heavy doses of chocolate?No! I’ll tellya whatcha do — You STOP! DROP! and PRAY!!!  Right where you are, before you mark off another To Do on your list — Pray!  Try it for a week.  Whenever you’re feeling anxious — STOP! DROP! and PRAY!!!!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6-7

THE DETOUR PRAYER:  Father, You are and you are a rewarder of them that earnestly seek you.  (Hebrews 11:6)  I’m earnestly seeking you now!  Help!!  I don’t know what to do.  But I do know to turn to You.  Thank you for loving me and you promised to give me wisdom when I asked for it. (James 1:5)  Here’s what’s bothering me:__________________________. 

” Thank you that I can pour my heart out to You, all my complaints and woes. (1 Peter 5:7)  I DO believe You can guide me and show me what to do, but there’s a part of me that doesn’t.  Please help me, Father,  with my unbelief.  (Mark 9:24) Thankyou for loving me.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Do you know Jesus?  click here to be introduced: Do You Ever Feel Like Something’s Missing in Your Life?