New Year New Dreams

Do you have a vision, dream or revelation for your life? Goals and dreams are important to our well-being. Without some kind of aim or direction, we lack focus. Life becomes stale, routine and something to be endured. Without a dream we sometimes fail to enjoy the life that God has given us. Without vision, people perish (Prov. 29:18).

Dreams can be as simple as a New Year's resolution to lose weight, read six books, learn to play an instrument, or paint a room. Take a little time to think about what you would like to do. Make a list, no matter how much of a stretch your dreams may be write them down.

 

Let yourself imagine the end result. Is it satisfying, worth the struggle. Then plan backwards how you can achieve the goal, and begin to achieve your dream.

 

For example, learn to play a guitar: 

• Buy an inexpensive guitar 
• Sign up for lessons 
• Practice each lesson daily 
• Choose a song you love and learn to play it 
• Keep at it. 

Bowl a 300 game

• Start bowling each week. 
• Use house balls until you find the weight that it right for you. 
• Take some bowling lessons. 
• Learn to find your mark and consistently throw the ball on the marks. 
• Buy your own ball and have it drilled for your grip. 
• Practice weekly.

God understands that the nature of man is to dream and achieve. He wants us to be successful and happy. And God knows that we must apply ourselves to achieve our dreams. We can have big dreams and little dreams. No matter, the dream is the thing.

 

Remember To Be Kind

Remember to be kind at all times. Actively look for ways to be kind to other people.

With Christmas around the corner, I find myself remembering. When we lost our infant a young woman reached out to give me comfort. She gave me four mint condition copies of Vogue magazines wrapped with a gold ribbon.

It may seem odd, but it wasn't. Those magazines are still in my magazine rack and each time I see them I have chills in my spine. But not in a bad way. It is like a surge of comfort flooding my body all over again. These were beautiful items to her, an antique dealer, and she reached out to comfort me in the best way she knew.

Don't pass up the opportunity to be kind. It means more than you think.

Brain Eating Amoebas

Brain eating amoebas. That's what I woke up to as I turned on the morning news. I signed onto my computer and found out a woman in Illinois shot herself and her three children in the head. And I wonder why I am so sad sometimes.

I grew up in the 50s and 60s when there were only four television channels and computers were only for big business. There was certain innocence in the world. Now everywhere I look I am bombarded with the most incredibly bad information.

Its no wonder so many people need medicine for depression. I tried not watching the news, but that seemed foolish to not be informed. I cannot escape the Internet. I remember God is good, and I look to Him for direction and wisdom.

In the early 1900's, swine flu wiped out entire towns. Infant death rates were high. I found out that antibiotics were not even around until the end of the 1800's and the polio vaccine didn't arrive until the 1950s. So, it's always been hard.

As I prayed this morning, I read Psalm 97:5: The hills melt like was in the presence of the Lord. In my mind's eye I saw that the mountainous obstacles that surround us, the perilous terrain we tread, all become smooth as we rely on and trust in God. Life is hard but God is good.

Going Through Trials With Grace

As I read Psalm 77 this morning, I could see the tight and lonely space where David was residing. He was hemmed in on all sides, and felt abandoned by God. "You hold my eyes from closing; I am so troubled I cannot speak" Amplified, Psalm 77:4. I understood this and I am moving through this same solitary spot.

But God is good, and as I continued to read verse 10 says "And I (David) say, this [apparent desertion of Israel by God} is my appointed lot and trial". I smiled because I admire the humility of this. David choose to accept that this is where God wanted him now, and he choose, he purposed in his heart, to praise God and remember all the good things God had done for him.

I understand that trials and hard times pass. How they pass is up to us. When God has made up His mind that I have to go through something, it does me no good to fuss. I do open my heart to God and through myself on His mercy, don't get me wrong. But I purposely call to mind how good God has been to me, and how I have seen Him act in other trials. It keeps me.

Will God Give Me A Million Dollars

For a long time I have been praying that God would give me a million dollars. I am very open about this, and some people think I am crazy, selfish, proud or self absorbed. Yet I pray in hope and I rest knowing that God knows my heart.

I learned a long time ago that I do not stand against God. Am I perfect in this? No, there are many times when I have fallen, and have to belly crawl like a dog to the throne of grace.

Praying for a million dollars is so outside my control, and easier than praying for the everyday needs. Easier because the everyday needs are more emotional, more immediate, and I desire to control the outcome of the prayer. I have to purpose in my heart to pray and let go, knowing that God will do what God will do. This is where the trust and faith come into play, because God loves me, and somehow things will work out, even if the events unfold differently than I had planned.

I was drawn to Job this morning as I prayed. These words make my heart shake, but fill me with confidence in God at the same time. God says "Brace yourself like a man." Well, that takes the little girl right out of my mind. God says, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay?" Even with the blood of Jesus covering me, I owe God my life. And I say with Job, "I know that You can do all things, no plan of Yours can be thwarted."

So when I pray, I ask God. At the same time, I understand that it's not my will but His that will be done. It's scary sometimes, but I have seen that even in death God is faithful, kind and merciful.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Job (38:1-5)

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Job 40:(6-7)

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. Job 41:11

Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42 (1-6)