Y Choices

Y Choices!


The letter Y is an interesting letter. As the yield sign forms the top of the Y reminding us to slow down and proceed with caution, the letter Y also symbolizes a fork in the road. It is a defining moment. It is a point in the whirling vortex that we call life, where things seem to stop. We yield to let others pass as we make a choice. It is essentially the stopping point where a decision HAS to be made. Some say, “I WON’T make a decision, I will just stay here and do nothing.” That in itself is a choice. The other options are to go left, right or turn back, but either way a decision is made.

WHY:

Often times at the Y, we ask that question. WHY? Why is this happening to me? Why do I have to choose? We choose because God gave us freewill. Yes it would be easier to allow others to make the decisions for us, but would that make you happy with the end result? Yes, you could then blame someone else for your emptiness but essentially you chose to allow someone else to choose.



Choices:

Some choices are harder than others. They are life altering. “Should I further my education? Should I stay in a loveless relationship? Am I ready to get married, have a child? Should I buy a new house or car? These are only questions I’ve had in my past. What are yours? To me, these are choices that should not be made in haste. In an effort to move on you may peer left then quickly left, seeking the answer. You think that you know but you’re unsure. You know the way that you have already come, so there is no reason to turn back! What do you do?



CONFER:

This is the instance where you should confer with the ultimate consultant. HE gives us freewill, but HE also will provide the answers… IF we ask. The word says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.” We are to go to HIM in prayer, read HIS word and trust HIM for the answer. You may have to wait for the answer, but remember, it’s when we make rash decisions that we choose the wrong roads and end up at yet another Y.

My Answer:

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It is a time of repentance, confession and reflection as we approach the Holy Celebration of the Death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Easter. I beseech you to take this time to meditate and consult HIM, trust HIM. I personally had a Deja vu moment this morning. I saw a door that I had seen in a dreams years before. It was God’s way of letting me know that I am where I am supposed to be, at this appointed time, even at the Y!

Bittersweet Transitions

Pastor’s last sermon! ---



The Bitter:

My pastor preached his last sermon at our church today. He has answered the call to Pastor at another church in another state. I am very close to my pastor, his beautiful wife and their children. No one wants to see someone that they are close to move away. The selfish side of us wants them to stay. I can’t be selfish though. They have been blessed with a new opportunity. To see them go is sad but they are not gone forever, they are simply moving on; making a transition. It’s God's timing. He is in ultimate control of what happens.



The Sweet

Since God has called my pastor to another church, then GOD is ready for our church to be refreshed. You know how you press F5 on your computer and it clears everything up and gives a new perspective! It is growth for all involved as long as we stay in God's will. Just as Ezekiel 37: 3 says, “Son of man, can these bones live?" I read this a few weeks ago not knowing that my pastor was going to preach "Can these bones live?" today as his final sermon at the Chapel. The word confirmed what I was feeling! I sense new life, new opportunities in God's will! I am thrilled about what God has in store. In fact I am not anxious, but the opposite. I am excited about what GOD is going to do in my life and the life of our church. We’ve only just begun.


The Passing of one we loved so dear!


Bittersweet

After the service & during the reception, we found out that one of our dear saints had passed on. Deacon Emeritus Clarence Hoskins made his transition. I knew him as the gentle man that sat on the seat on the second row, directly in front of where I sing praise and worship. I would make my way to him on Sundays to make sure I spoke. He would say, “It’s so good to see you smiling. You must be happy!” (smile) Recently it was discovered that he had an illness that would eventually take him home. His passing today was peaceful. He went to sleep with his family close by. Bittersweet!



Bittersweet because it sad that he is gone. Sad that we won’t be able to talk to him and watch him give bubble gum to the kids. Sad to see his family mourn for we feel for them as well. Sweet because he has no more pain. No more sorrow! This morning I sang Israel’s version of Trading My Sorrows. The lyrics are, “ I’m trading my sorrow, I’m trading my pain and I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord….It goes on to say, Joy is when you wake up! Oh to go to sleep and wake up in the arms of Jesus. Now that’s sweet!



Yes today has been a day of bittersweet transitions. We’ve faced new realities. Things are no longer as they were. Our pastor has moved on as well as Deacon Hoskins. They have made the transition. What is the lesson learned? The lesson is that our days are numbered. Each moment is precious and we are not to take it for granted.


Dear God,

I pray that I will value each moment. I will not get caught up in confusion and the distractions of life and recognize that your love prevails above all. I will love others and share in their joy and their sorrow. I will be an encourager to those as they go forth and be a shoulder to lean on when others are feeling down. Hear my prayer Oh Lord! In Jesus name, I pray! Amen

I don't want to "go with you" anymore? What!! This too shall Pass!

“I don’t want to go with you anymore!!!” That’s what we used to call it. “Going together!” Those are devastating words….especially when you are in the 7th grade – 12 years old and thinking that you have all the answers. Let me take you back for a second. He was older than me and I wasn’t even supposed to have what we called a “boyfriend” until the 8th grade. My mom said I could talk on the phone to boys when I got to the seventh grade but I couldn’t call them. They had to call me because that is how it was supposed to work. I was at the JR High though….Washington Drive Jr High. I was on the cheerleading squad, he was in the 9th grade and he wanted me to be his “girlfriend”!!! How could I say no…right? He even wanted a kiss. OMG!! We had no idea what or how to do that. My friends and I had to find someone who had kissed a boy before so I wouldn’t look like I was clueless.




TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! With texting, email, facebook, myspace and chat on every site, there is every opportunity for just about everyone to stay connected if they choose to. It is also a way to escape. Escape the reality of life by choosing hours on twitter and facebook and less time with your family or friends. You would think with all of these modes of communication there be more bonding but in actuality it CAN lead to less talking. I have seen people text when the person is in the other room or in the same car. LOL!!! We chat instead of calling. It’s easier. You can hide your emotions when you can’t hear the other person’s voice. You can choose the emotion icon that you want to use to show emotion whether you mean it or not. You can even hide where you really are, be it in the bathroom or someplace you’re not supposed to be! Who will know right? Where does this lead to? It CAN lead to distance and the fateful words. “I don’t’ want to go with you anymore or NO MO!”



Don’t get me wrong, I love social networking, texting and emailing. Ask my friends!! I’m simply saying pay attention to your mate, spouse, and significant other. Pay attention to your children. Ask yourself if you’re spending more quality time with the CPU or the CELL phone versus them. No matter the age, no one WANTS to have their heart broken. No one WANTS to be on the receiving end of those words. No one WANTS to feel like it’s their fault or it was something that they could have done differently.



Fortunately, I have learned that things happen for a reason. We may not always see it while we are going through it because the fog is so thick that we can’t see the sunlight on the other side. There is a reason though whether it was our fault or not. After it’s all said and done, it’s a lesson learned and we move forward. Even if we have to push ourselves, we should always push forward. We keep pushing until we get through. We may emerge with a few scars, but as God’s children, we are always victorious!



Phil 3:14 "With my eyes fixed on the goal I will PUSH on to secure the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus -"



As for my FIRST REAL boyfriend in the 7th grade, (I won’t call his name), he told me those fateful words. Even after he got a kiss on the steps after school! Even after he told me I would be his girlfriend forever!!! You see Washington Drive closed after the 7th grade. They changed to the middle school concept. I went to the 8th at the middle school and he went to high school. He didn’t want to “go with me anymore.” I was devastated. Couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, in fact I thought my WHOLE LIFE WAS OVER!! My mom told me, “This too shall pass!” She was right! I made it. I pushed forward!

Keep RUNNING!!

Flight! It’s a normal reaction to stress. It is a natural protection mechanism. God wired our bodies to react to fear by sending adrenaline through the body, thus giving us the rush to flee from a fearful situation. It is a natural reaction.


I have felt like running recently! Stressed and anxious, I wanted to run! Run away from the problems of the world. I wasn’t thinking about where I was going to run to, only that I wanted to. Running is a freeing, natural feeling. In the opening scene of the movie “Chariots of Fire” the men are running on the beach and the famous theme song is playing. I heard this famous song several times over the weekend. It was heard so much that my girls were humming it and one asked where the song came from. In Sunday school the lesson was from Isaiah 40:31 which states: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall RUN, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” KJV Do you think HE was sending me a message?

There is only one place to run to when seeking peace that surpasses anything that our minds can grasp. That’s right... run to Jesus! In John 14:27 (NIV) Jesus is saying “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 is standing with open arms, waiting to catch us when we get tired of running alone. He is ready when we finally have the wherewithal to fall into his arms. We may find ourselves exhausted when we get to HIM, but it is always worth it. HE will allow us to clear our minds, help us stand, gain our strength and push forward. He will help us get back in the race to the ultimate finish. I am reminded that the race isn’t always easy BUT with HIM, I can do all things. As long as we are running FOR Jesus and not running from him we can make it.

The next time you feel like running, put on your running shoes and go. Just don’t run alone. Run TO Him, with HIM and not FROM Him! Keep running until you hear Him say “Well done!! You have finished the race! Well done!!

Miracles: Big and Small

The Small:


He never ceases to amaze me! We are taught to go to God in prayer. Pray without ceasing. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. I went to God this morning specifically for a situation. I prayed in faith and went about my day. I’d actually forgotten about it until it began to unfold. I could see HIS glory shining and hear HIM saying “Don’t worry, I got this!!” Isn’t He just incredible! I am always humbled when He answers my prayers. I can’t believe that He is concerned about little ole me. It’s like a miracle! As I watched HIS handiwork today, He reminded me that He is control of everything. No matter how big or how small, He is in control.

James 5: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.



The Big:

I watched the video of the rescue of the little brother (Kiki) and sister being pulled of the rubble in Haiti after 8 days…ALIVE!! That is not supposed to be humanly possible. That’s because it’s not! It’s GODLY possible! Another example of the enemy creating a horrific tragedy and God turning it around for good. How many people have you heard say, “I thought my problem was bad, but look at the people in Haiti?” The Haitians continue to praise God through and during their circumstances. They are examples of perseverance. As a result, people around the world have been showing compassion, loving harder and living better.


Yes, God is control of my little situation as well as the BIG situation in Haiti. He is a God of love. As my pastor says, there are 6 Billion people in the world and He hears our prayers at the same time. Yes some question why bad things happen, but as long as we are in THIS world, there will be tribulation. The fact of the matter is, with God on our side, we will make it through all trials, Big or Small—through it ALL!

Photo of Kiki by ©Matthew McDermott /Polaris /eyevine

The Road to ME and the GAS is FREE!

When I was a child, I always wanted to be in the front of the line or up front. I was considered an over achiever. A leader! Then one day I got on the wrong road.

Wrong Way

Have you ever been driving on the interstate at 70 + miles an hour and realize that you missed your exit. Your first inclination is to back up and try and make it but usually there are too many cars coming and you can’t stop and back up. Then you start looking for a break in the highway to cut through to the other side, but there are concrete barriers up, so there is no short cut. The next option is to keep driving until the next exit so you can turn around. Sometimes this can be miles and miles down the road and you end up wasting so much time trying to get back on track. That’s life. We miss our exit and get on the wrong road and its years before we are headed in the right direction. YEARS!

The Road

I used to be self employed. In order to shine and be in the front of the line, I had to literally work 12-14 hour days, with no time for my children and family and church. I didn’t realize this going in; I just thought that was what I wanted. I prayed for it and as the old folk say, “be careful what you ask for!” I wasn’t ready. I was in the front of the line for the first few years but I burned myself out. I was also immature. I let my need to take care of others versus myself get in my way. I didn’t have that cut throat mentality and some of those closest to me and in my employ took advantage of me. Ultimately, I gave up. I didn’t fight for what was rightfully mine. I didn’t have the support system I needed, I was tired and I let it go!

I let this bother me for years. I regretted not fighting for what was given to me but God said clearly, “It’s time to let it go! It was all for a reason.” That was not what HE would have me to be. It was just for a season. He allowed me to stay in it long enough for HIM to show me the things HE wanted me to see and learn. I became born again during those years, became a different person and therefore it was time to move on. I just couldn’t see it at the time.


"...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

The Road to ME.... (the God in Me)

Who God creates us to be doesn’t change, but sometimes circumstances cause us to forget who we are and what we are made of. We bury the ME! The enemy sees our future and tries to thwart God’s plan for us as well. He will do anything he can to block our path or send us on the wrong road. In other cases, we are own enemy. We let our free will get in our own way. Combine these situations and we end up on a very long road to nowhere.

Praise God that HE is in control. He knows the plans that HE has for us. When we are sensitive to HIS will and listen to HIS voice, HE will guide us back onto the correct road! HIS path. He will put people in our lives to give us the guidance that we need. HE will reveal what HE has in store for us and keep us on track. HE will create shortcuts and remove the barrier that were once there. The road to ME seemed long to me but I now realize that it was HIS plan.

HIS Road

Even on HIS road there are turns, curves, stoplights, toll booths and accidents. All for a reason. All to help us see that the road ahead is bright for HIS light is guiding us. Yes, get on HIS road. Find your way back to your "ME"; the ME that HE created you to be! Let your light shine, turn on your HIGH BEAMS, toot your own horn and the GAS is FREE!!

God Always Saves... (GAS)

Spiritually Connected!

We’ve all been there. In a relationship; be it with a friend, family member, lover, mate, spouse, co-worker or acquaintance....we have all been there. They all start with the meeting, the getting to know something about each other, then sharing of ideas, life experiences and it goes on from there. A relationship is formed. Some relationships are close while some are only superficial. Whatever the depth, they are still relationships. THEN something happens! We move, change jobs, we grow up, grow apart or simply wander away. We wonder why we aren’t as close anymore. We realize that one of us has stopped putting time and effort in the relationship. The communication has dwindled or ceased.



It’s the wandering relationships that bother me the most; the ones where it seems as if a friend has pulled away. God reminded me that it is during these times that we need to take the focus off of ourselves and focus on the relationship. Maybe that person is going through something. Pray!


The same thing applies to our relationship with God. If we are bothered by a friend wandering away from us, how does God, our Father, feel when we wander away from HIM? At one point, some of us have wandered away. We used to spend time with HIM and communicate by reading & studying HIS word and spending quiet time in prayer. We let distractions (the enemy) get in the way and we found ourselves far removed from HIM. This is a very uncomfortable feeling and we find ourselves running back to HIM!!


GOD News!


Have you noticed, that if there was a true meaningful relationship, no matter the time or years that have gone by, when you talk to an old friend it’s as if you never parted. ( I see you nodding) You pick back up where you left off. That’s because your spirits connected then and they are forever connected. Isn’t that good news! The same applies to your relationship with GOD! He never left! Although you may have wandered away, HE has always been right there with you, spiritually connected. He was waiting for you to commune with HIM. That’s good news! GOD news!


As we embark on this New Year, take GOD’s news with you! Build on your relationship with HIM and others and as always… PUSH FORWARD!


Joshua 1:5 (NIV)


….. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.