![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1607028331052-HEMJB9YLRZ2JVS9590BT/image.jpg)
![Get Up](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1533044477977-DZ3YSLYAFZON65IBFDMR/GettyImages-73230983.jpg)
Get Up
Sometimes life can figuratively knock the breath out of you. Trials can come in an avalanche rolling you down the hill that you were just about to conquer, leaving you breathless, stunned, hurt, and bewildered at the bottom on the ground covered with piles of “snow” on top of you preventing you from standing back up. At this time, all you really want to do is ball up in a “fetal position” and give up trying.
![You See Me](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1531512337397-LVF847DU2R0856BUCVTV/Gen+16+13.jpg)
You See Me
I am rereading the Bible. It is fascinating how many times I have read Genesis, yet I always notice something “new.” I am realizing that the Word of God is a living thing because of the fact that I can learn something no matter how many times I may have read the same scriptures. I am thinking that maybe I notice “new” things when I reread because they are then applicable to my life at that moment.
![What are You Looking At?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1530919078364-Z5OJVEZXNN0AF9AZRMPP/GettyImages-605382749.jpg)
What are You Looking At?
Are you so focused on your failures, missed opportunities, mistakes, trials, etc…that you miss God’s beauty? Do you overlook the blessings that you already have because they don’t match the “pictures of success” in your mind? If yes, then you are looking at the wrong things. You are listening to the deceiver who doesn’t want you to be joyful, hopeful, and faithful. You are allowing yourself to have a pity-party-of-one, which honestly I believe makes Satan happy and God a bit sad. Don’t worry, I’m talking to myself here also.
![Put on the Armor of God](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1530139274358-UYDVV7DIMLA82VC0MNNR/FB_IMG_1530136839027.jpg)
Put on the Armor of God
My daughter decided to take the plunge and get baptized. Honestly, she has thought about it for two whole years. She did not want to be hasty, so she took her time before making her decision. Her dad and I are very happy for her, but we also have warned her that now that she has made the complete decision to walk in the way, she will face attacks from the deceiver.
The deceiver does not like it when one of us decides to fully become a child of God. That is why being prepared is vital in our Christian walk.
![Walk Don’t Run — Follow Don’t Lead](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1529371309753-TIFZRS0V47FNOSTPG01R/GettyImages-603858864.jpg)
Walk Don’t Run — Follow Don’t Lead
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness] (Micah 6:8, Amplified).
Am I the only one that finds it hard to “walk” humbly with God when you don’t know the direction you are going? I know that life has many curves and ups and downs, but it is so hard sometimes to try not to force or fix situations.
![Graduation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1528147249441-86DVCAT7418GA7AEDFPI/GettyImages-AA014176.jpg)
Graduation
This is the graduation season. Many teens and even adults are graduating from high school and college. In fact, I got to see one of my closest friend’s son graduate a little over a week ago. It was bittersweet. I have known her son since he was three, so to see him walk the field and receive his diploma was a huge moment for me. It also made me feel quite old. Before I know it, my own kids will be doing the same thing.
![Give it all, I mean all](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1526333959140-ROKPSBMOTDNJNS9I6DWC/GettyImages-177869121.jpg)
Give it all, I mean all
I teach at a small private school, and one of my fellow teachers stated a good point. First, she mentioned how the Scriptures teach us that we have to “die to self” in order to follow Christ, bear good fruit, to live by faith, to be renewed, etc. (some references: Luke 9:23-24; John 12:24; Galatians 2:20). She then pointed out that in order to do this, we have to give it all to God, everything, our finances, our marriage, our children, our homes, our education, our lives—everything. Everything has to come secondary to God.
![No Complaining Allowed](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1525470338995-L6F91DP0VMFLAXEM8QGA/GettyImages-494216762.jpg)
No Complaining Allowed
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.—Philippians 2:14-16
What would the world be like if we just followed verse 14? “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
![Prove all Things](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1523654875031-RIGFZCPMO4B6CLEHMIEL/GettyImages-487537666.jpg)
Prove all Things
All my life, I was told that it was illegal to pick bluebonnets in Texas because it is the state flower. I believed this for years, and I mean years. In fact, it wasn’t until a year ago that I finally decided to research it, and low and behold, it isn’t illegal. It hasn’t been illegal since 1973 to pick bluebonnets on the side of the road or, if you have permission, on private property. However, it is still illegal to pick them in state parks
![First Love](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1522268215028-MQR5HRP7KQT470FUZ9KQ/GettyImages-519474858.jpg)
First Love
My daughter just got her learner’s permit. I am still wrapping my brain around the fact that I now have a fifteen year old. I wish there was a pause button on life sometimes, but alas, there isn’t.
In any case, my daughter now can drive with an adult on the passenger side. She is so excited. Given, who wasn’t excited the first time they were able to drive?
![Ordinary People](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1520638947949-0FJWPJ28UT53CND1D3LB/GettyImages-891187194.jpg)
Ordinary People
We have a Bible full of profound stories of faith, sin, renewal, miracles, forgiveness, and punishment, and many more lessons that apply to us today. The Bible gives us hope when we doubt, strength when we are afraid, faith to keep moving forward, love when we feel unloved, and more positive affirmations. What is totally awesome, though, is that most of these stories that encourage us are about normal everyday ordinary people like you and me.
![The Power of Praying for Others](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1519428052007-NJVWPHHWITKUDTERKSA4/GettyImages-505797768.jpg)
The Power of Praying for Others
Do you have a tendency to pray more for yourself than for others? I know I do, and sometimes I wonder if I have my prayer priorities out of order. Now, I don’t think it is wrong to pray for ourselves as long as it doesn’t cause us to focus more on ourselves rather than thinking of others.
I am realizing that when I tend to let my prayers become more about me, rather than others, I become guilty of not fulfilling the scripture to esteem others better than myself (Philippians 2:3).
![Reap What You Sow](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1518215479327-PYEHQQX5I65AYIZTKGTB/GettyImages-454276889.jpg)
Reap What You Sow
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return (Galatians 6:7).
I have heard this point all my life, and yes, when I have sowed non-righteous “seeds,” I reaped the consequences. I was one of those children that couldn’t get away with anything. I got caught very quickly. As an adult, I have to say, I still reap quick consequences when I make mistakes. I am definitely not perfect.
![Hidden Things](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1516737468561-ZNAUI0E5KU1K05I5NL3D/GettyImages-499856128.jpg)
Hidden Things
We had a slight scare this Sabbath. My daughter, Jazmyn, woke at her friend’s house with severe stomach pains that had her doubled over. I rushed over there to pick her up and immediately took her to the ER. I have to admit, my mind was going to all the worst case scenarios during our drive.
Surprisingly, we were seen very quickly, and after running all kinds of tests, they determined that it was just severe abdominal cramping.
![Perspective is Everything](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1516219352658-L3POQS7P8GORMHFNZ323/GettyImages-680040354.jpg)
Perspective is Everything
One truth I have learned over the years is that life is constantly changing. Things never stay the same, so make sure you enjoy the small moments and don’t take life for granted. Another truth is, don’t waste time worrying about little things because, truth be told, if it isn’t going to be important tomorrow, next week, a month from now, or even a year or more from now, then it isn’t worth stressing over.
The reality is, we (or at least, I) sometimes get stuck putting importance on non-important things.
![Satisfy Your Soul](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1514839368639-ZT41LIBXYAUZG4HVY2T2/GettyImages-511028631.jpg)
Satisfy Your Soul
When we are hungry, we get something to eat. When we are thirsty, we get something to drink. This is to satisfy our physical needs, but these physical things cannot satisfy our soul. True soul-satisfying fulfillment can only come from God.
We must realize that only God the Father and Jesus the Messiah can satisfy our souls. Only from God does living waters flow that can completely quench our “thirst” (John 4:14; 7:37-38). Only those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be completely filled (Matthew 5:6).
![Thank You God](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1513799424022-HTQ9ZBMATLWZJAXONBZZ/GettyImages-531169848.jpg)
Thank You God
Have you ever had one of those days that make you realize how real God is, and you are completely filled with joy that you know He is real? I am talking about one of those days that you know without any doubt that God was helping you, and when you finally get home, you are relieved and very grateful to have God looking out for you. I had one of those days yesterday, December 19, 2017.
Yesterday we received a torrential downpour of rain. In fact, I wish it would have gone to comfort those in the fires in California.
![Investment](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1512416449798-PVO5A8EJB7NQA8SOJTLS/teendance.jpg)
Investment
Tyler CGI held their first teen dance, in probably many, many years, Saturday night. We have three lovely teen girls that worked hard to put their idea together, and I have to say I was thoroughly impressed. It turned out awesome. It also made me realize how important it is for us adults to invest in our children by giving them outlets to have safe fun.
We may not want to admit it, but we are in a war right now. We are in a “war” for our children. This world wants them, and the truth is, whoever invests the more time and energy will be the winner.
![A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1511473249870-M9PRRTIEGK3YQ1DAJ4MZ/happyheart.001.jpeg)
A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart
The author of this quote is unknown, but I really like it. I think that the first time I heard part of it was on Veggie Tales. Every year at this time I write something about being thankful because it is Thanksgiving time in America. However, the truth is, thankfulness should be a 24 hour 7 days a week character trait in us all. We all want to be set apart from the world. We all want to resist the devil. We all want to walk the path that leads to the Kingdom of God. Well, one major step forward in all those directions is being thankful.
![Bumpy Road](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50438d1dc4aa994481346f77/1510949725007-IFZI5R9KMTSGDXQ1NM3J/GettyImages-179272827.jpg)
Bumpy Road
I was doing my devotional the other day, and it really hit home with me. So, I wanted to share my thoughts. It made the point of stating that following Jesus doesn’t usually mean we get to go down smooth and glamorous roads. In fact, the roads are usually bumpy and curvy.
The truth is that accepting Christ in our lives is one step and is relatively easy because it is a gift from God. Yet, what is not easy is to then follow Him where He leads us.