525,600 minutes

There are 525,600 minutes in a year! The song says “How do you measure a life? In sunsets, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife? How about love!”

My father lived each day to its fullest. He often said, “I may not be here tomorrow so I am going to live now, in this moment!” He loved his family. He loved quality things, good music and fast cars. He had rheumatic fever as a child and the new wonder drug penicillin saved his life. Some seem to think that this traumatic fever weakened his blood vessels and he was diagnosed with high blood pressure at 18. He had several heart attacks in his 40’s and died at age 62. He died in an instant, a moment, a minute. There was no sound, no warning, he was laughing, clutched his chest and was gone. We later learned that he had cardiomyopathy (a diseased heart muscle) and an enlarged heart. He knew that he wouldn’t live a long life without a new heart but he never told us. It was only after he passed away that Duke Hospital called to let us know that a heart had been found. My father would have been 76 years on January 2, 2010.

2009 is almost over. How have you spent your minutes? Did you give it your all? Did you love with your whole heart? Did you reach toward your dream? If you didn’t, it’s not too late!!

A new decade is minutes away. Some see 2010 as a new season, a change in the direction of their lives. Some have placed hopes and dreams in the newness that is to come. I am reminded of the moments and the minutes that constantly tick by. I am reminded that we should appreciate each of one of them now as my dad did. There is no need to wait until January 1, 2010 to begin anew! Start this instant, this moment, this minute.

Let’s not waste another minute being consumed by our senseless circumstances. Let’s forgive others as well as ourselves. Dream and push toward the fulfillment of them! And most of all LOVE! God is love and HE loves us! His love reaches to heaven! You can do it too! Love unconditionally. Hug your child a little tighter and kiss your mate a little longer. Make a new memory! Reach out to an old friend, let go of grudges, skip, smile, laugh or whatever it takes for you to release the inner stirrings that have been holding you back. Treasure your life. Treasure your minutes, your moments and as always… push forward!

Psalm 57:10

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

Psalm 117:2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

Walk in the Light!

Morning is described as the first or the early part of the day. The Dawn! A time of renewal. Something to look forward to. Sometimes people casually say " It's always darkest before the dawn" or "Joy comes in the morning" not realizing how true that is. Research has found that many people are affected by the light or the lack there of. People that live in parts of the world were sunlight is limited are encouraged to use sun lamps to release the endorphins that the sun would normally release in them. The sun light makes us FEEL better!


In Israel's version of "Trading my Sorrows" he says " Joy is when you wake up!" It doesn't matter if it's 3 o'clock in the evening. When you wake up, it's a time of Joy! Whenever you come out of the darkness into the light, it's joyful!

Why did God create us like this? Why would He have us react to the radiance of the sun? Light? Have you ever thought about it? It's because God IS light! His spirit is in us; therefore we are light! We are His offspring. His children!

John 8: 12 says " When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 1 Peter 2: 9 says " But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

WE ARE LIGHT!

I don't know who I'm talking to right now. I needed a reminder myself! You may be in a gloomy place but rest in knowing that the darkness is not permanent. It can not exist unless we allow it to. Darkness can not exist where there is SON! The lamp has already been purchased. Paid for at a precious price! It's free and you don't even have to leave home to get it. Call on him.... Wake up! It's Morning!!

Unshakeable Peace!

It is the enemy’s job to destroy our peace! To distract us to a point that we are so frazzled that we can’t see our way! He doesn’t want us to go to God in prayer! When we are sad, mourning, upset, stressed or bothered in any way, he wants us to wallow in it. How dare we go to Jesus-the Prince of Peace! But remember, the devil is a LIAR! It is his job to destroy! He specifically wants to destroy our relationship with God!


Phil: 4:6-7 says "Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" --Sweet PEACE!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I posted a status the other day that said “We should grow fruit in good times so it will be ready for hard times! That simply means our spirits will be in perfect peace even when our minds are too clouded to call on it! Thank you Lord for the fruit of peace! God's peace is unshakeable!”


God wants us to live a life of Peace! In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. HE has given us PEACE! It is one of HIS gifts to us!

My prayer for you today is that you will always be at PEACE! If not, please seek it! Seek that sweet unshakeable PEACE! Hold on to it! Envelope yourself in it and most of all rest in it!

And as always….PUSH FORWARD!

Wesley's Notes

Phil: 4:7 And the peace of God - That calm, heavenly repose, that tranquility of spirit, which God only can give. Which surpasseth all understanding - Which none can comprehend, save he that receiveth it. Shall keep - Shall guard, as a garrison does a city. Your hearts - Your affections. Your minds - Your understandings, and all the various workings of them; through the Spirit and power of Christ Jesus, in the knowledge and love of God.