Too Busy For Life? — Daily Inspiration

“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. — Haggai 1:9

Do you ever feel like you're too busy to do the things you love? I discovered this week that we fill our lives with what we want. We do whatever our hearts fancy. No one *makes* us do anything.

Without the television to take up my time, I could have been typing up episodes for my fictional stories, working on new episodes or just writing in general, but I didn't. I found myself lying on my bed just thinking. I guess my mind realized I needed a little peace in my life.

I've never had a problem with being alone. I enjoy reading and writing, both solitary activities. But I know other people need to constantly be with other people, enjoying, connecting. I never completely understood those people. It sounds tiring to me, always angling for attention from someone. But, in some way, I guess we all do it in one way or another. Either we're a gregarious friend-maker or a solemn people-pleaser. We all look for things that fulfill us.

Today, I'm filled with the sounds of silence. I need that sometimes in this hurried world we live in.

If you're too busy for life, it might be time to step back and try something new. God's all about new experiences. I mean, otherwise, why would he have created us, right? My prayer for you today is that you take time to smell the roses and put a little life back into your life.

"How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.' — Matthew 11:15-17 MSG

You Are Not Alone — Daily Inspiration

You're not alone for I AM here,
Let me wipe away your every fear
My love, I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
And I'm the one who's loved you all your life
All of your life
— You're Not Alone, Meredith Andrews

That's comforting to know, isn't it? We're not alone. We'll never be alone. God is there with us.

Sometimes in this great big world, we can get lost as a single individual among the masses. Have you ever walked into a room filled with people, knowing no one, and you felt a pang of loneliness? I've been there. That can make you think that you're ultimately alone in the world.

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. — Numbers 11:16-18

I've visualized what my life would be like without my family. And I can't imagine it. How do you keep on going when you have no one? No one to talk to, confide in or just be with? And with that thought, I can see why people turn to suicide or death. Being alone can be painful.

But with God, you're never alone. He's always with you. Walking beside you, carrying you if need be. And sometimes, he's the only one we can turn to.

It is you and I, You've been walking with me all this time — All This Time. Britt Nicole

If you're feeling alone and lost, turn to the one who can fill you with a great sense of happiness and feeling. You'll know that you'll never be alone again, even if you are on this plane of existence. My prayer for you is to turn to Jesus, turn to God. And you'll never be alone.

But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. — John 8:15-17

Connection — Daily Inspiration

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” — Genesis 3:4-6 MSG

I apologize for not getting my Saturday and Sunday inspirations out there. We had a freak lightening storm in our area which knocked out not only our internet but our satellite television.

Sometimes being unplugged from the world makes you realize just how important it is to be connected to things, people, the world and God. Our Savior wanted to be connected to us. He created Adam and Eve for that connection. He saved Noah and his family for that connection. He wanted to know us and have a spiritual relationship with us.

The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide. — Isaiah 11:6-9 MSG

God even sent his son to us in order to keep all of us safe. He wanted to maintain that connection so much, he was willing to sacrifice his only son. Now, that's a man with a huge intention.

Connection. God's all about it.

My prayer for you today is to get connected to God, to the people in your life you've unplugged from whether intentionally or unintentionally. Show them that you have a BIG God with BIG intentions for connection.

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. — 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

Get Plugged In — Daily Inspiration

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” — Romans 12:12 NIV

Funny thing happened yesterday at work. We had a strange network problem where one of the routers didn't work which caused some cascading failures across the network. We all had to turn off our computers and in a sense "unplug".

Just a few minutes, maybe half an hour, gave us all a new perspective. We were talking to each other and laughing. Interesting how just a few minutes off line can bring us all together.

As it is written, A champion will stride down from the mountain of Zion; he'll clean house in Jacob. And this is my commitment to my people: removal of their sins. From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends. God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.
— Romans 11:27-29 MSG

We were unplugged and then gained a new perspective. I see a sort of parallel here. We were filled with sin and then by plugging into Jesus and his teachings we gain a new life.

Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. — Colossians 3:2 MSG

That's right. Christ is where the action is. All things go through him and because of him we have a new life, we are sin free. That is, if we accept the blessings he offers us.

My prayer for you is that you plug into Jesus and accept a new life.

In Story Form — Daily Inspiration

I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old - we will tell the next generation the praise worthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. — Psalm 78: 2, 4

Parables make it easier for us lesser folks, those who are not Godly, understand the messages the Master of creation is trying to relate to us. Like the stories we tell our children to help them grow, parables teach us in a language we all can understand. We've been in similar situations. We *get* it.

The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. — Isaiah 35:7

I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. — 2 Kings 21:13

The original storyteller inspired the ancient prophets to warn his people with stories of stolen lambs, plumb lines and bubbling springs. Those stories confused some but those who truly listened with a child-like faith could easily understand and revisit the stories time and time again to hear a clear message of God's love..

The Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. — Proverbs 2:6

Teaching from God comes in many forms. God seems to know his people learn best when his messages are put into stories that have a second, more spiritual, meaning. Maybe it was because of the climate of the time two-thousand years ago making it hard to share the gospel message. To some, a story is just a story. But the stories in the Bible teach us great lessons and in away only God knows will get through to us.

God knows what's best for us and sometimes it comes in story form.

My prayer for you is to share the parables and stories in the Bible with someone. Maybe it will bring them closer to our Maker. Maybe it will bring them a closer understanding of God's teachings, just like it did for you.

He Hears Us - Daily Inspiration

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” — 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

God knows us. He hears us.

It's amazing to think that a great God like ours would take the time to listen to a little one such as me. I mean, in the vast universe of creation, we are but a grain of sand of a grain of sand in the vastness of the many galaxies. I mean, we are little, very little. So little that it is hard to believe that he can hear anything we say. Can we hear the cries of an ant? But our God hears our cries.

“Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God. — Exodus 8:10

There is no one like our God. He does so many amazing things, things we don't even know we need.

He leads us to music we need for comfort, to people to cry on their shoulder, little things that we never acknowledge, he does them, he puts them forth.

He is my God. Let him be yours. Accept him.

My prayer for you is to allow God to respond to your cries for help. If you need him, he's always there. Let him be your God.

I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. — Exodus 6:7

Love is... - Daily Inspiration

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. — 1 John 4:16

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." That's the way Shakespeare spoke about love. But in his story, their love was a tragic love. But God's love for you isn't tragic. It's glorious.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. — 1 Corinthians 13:4

Sounds pretty good so far. God is patient with us even in our weakness. He knows we are not worthy of His love, but He loves us anyway. God is kind. It's hard to be kind sometimes, isn't it? After a long day of one stressful event after another, kindness is usually the last thing on our minds.

No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. — John 16:27

God doesn't love us because we're good. We can't do anything good enough to make the creator of the universe love us. He loves us because of the sacrifice of Jesus. And through Him, the love flows like rivers of gold.

God loves us because of Jesus' goodness, his kindness, his patience and his great faith.

My prayer for you today is to have patience with those you love today. Show kindness to people you meet along the way and have the great faith that a great God loves you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34-35

The Straight Path — Daily Inspiration


This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
— Matthew 3:2-4


As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
— Luke 3:3-5

I read a poem once about a crooked man who walked a crooked mile. Sounds kind of tedious, doesn't it? Crooked miles probably take a lot more time then straight miles.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. — Proverbs 4:11

I don't think God wanted us to lead crooked lives. He speaks many times about the straight path. He wants us to make straight paths for him. Well, if we are made in His image, I assume that he would want us to make straight paths for ourselves.

A straight path would not ensure that we wouldn't be tempted by the sins of the world but if we keep our eyes on the goal, even if we veer off course, we will always be able to see His light of truth guiding us in His ways.

So, my prayer for you today is to stay on the straight path and see His light shining for you. And if you are walking that crooked mile, know that if you trust in Him, the straight path is just around the bend.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:13-14

Fear Not - Daily Inspiration

Psalm 96:4 - For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

Am I the only person who doesn't understand why we're supposed to fear God? When I see scriptures like that, I just don't get it.

I know we're supposed to love the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:5 it says, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

And I know we're supposed to rejoice in the Lord. In 1 Chronicles 16:10 it says: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Plus, we're supposed to seek His face like it says in Psalm 105:4 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

But I just don't get the whole fearing the Lord thing. I want to love him, rejoice in him and seek his face, but I don't want to fear him. Fearing him makes me think of scary horror movies and my God is not a scary God. Okay, so he has done some scary things.

Hopefully, it's okay for me to love him, rejoice in him and seek his face. Maybe if you understand this fearing God thing, you can try to explain it to me.

My prayer for you is to love, rejoice and seek His face. And if you do understand this fear thing you can do that too.

Have a great Sunday!

Nehemiah 9:32 “Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.

Like Clay In His Hands - Daily Inspiration

Jeremiah 18:6 - He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

God shapes us like the wet clay of an unmade pot. He molds us and makes us perfect. He equips us for His purpose.

Psalm 49:3 - My mouth will speak words of wisdom;the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.

God can do all things. He can give us peace and contentment or the wisdom of Solomon. If it is His will, we will have it in our lives.

My prayer for you is to allow the power of our Maker to mold you into the perfect YOU.

1 Kings 4:29 -God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.

It's In The Details - Daily Inspiration

God is the ultimate designer. He created the flowers, the trees and the beautiful landscapes of the world. He weaves everything together into His design, including us.  A photographer friend of mine who is color blind once told me that when he took photos of nature, he could never get it wrong because God always did the color right, even if it didn't look right to his eyes.

Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. - Proverbs 16:20

God has a BIG vision. But he also pays attention to the details, the little things in life, like the color of bird's wings, the gurgle of a creek or the croaking of a frog's voice. And He did everything to the best of His ability.

How do we measure up to that? We can't. The God of all can see the vastness of the big things and the minute loveliness in the details. When He breathed the universe into existence was anyone watching him to make sure He did it perfectly?

Why is it then that we strive for perfection? We could never measure up to that. God's handiwork is amazing!

When no one is looking, how do you perform your calling, what God has set forth for you? Do you only do well when other people are watching? Or do you just deal with the big problems in your life and leave the details to others?

Some of us are big picture people, while others are all about the details. Maybe we should take a look at the picture on the other side of the fence once in awhile just to get a little perspective.

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much. - Luke 16:10

It takes a special talent to continue to shift your focus like that from the big picture to the details. And sometimes the only way we can do that is through our faith in God.

When we start to notice the details, the little things, God draws us closer to Him. Did you notice the elderly lady needing help down the stairs today? Did you help her? God was in that. Did you notice the little boy across the street crying because his ball went into your yard? Did you help him? God was in that too.

We see God in the details of life whether big or small. We see God in the design and creation of everything. How glorious is that?

Take time to notice the things, big or small, that God has put into your path. He's specifically coated all things with His love.

He ... loads me with love and mercy. - Psalm 103:4

Strength of Job - Daily Inspiration

If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales. It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas - no wonder my words have been impetuous. — Job 6: 2-3

When someone talks about the strength of Job, I don't think they truly know how much strength they are enduring. I mean, a great, great, great amount of strength, more than we can fathom.

Satan himself tormented Job. Not because he hated him, but because he had made a bet with God. Satan thought Job would curse God's face if God's favor wasn't on him. So, God gave Satan power over everything Job had except Job himself.

Job was a very rich man. (He was like the Donald Trump of his time.) He lived in the land of Uz and had 7 sons and 3 daughters. He owned seven-thousand sheep, three-thousand camel, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys and a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. - Job 1:1-4

So, Satan got to work. He organized people to bring Job to his knees. He had the oxen and donkeys stolen and the servants of these slaughtered. Only one servant managed to get away to tell Job the tale of what had happened.

I guess in Satan's eyes, if you don't have an eye witness, you don't have enough torment.

Of course, that wasn't all that happened to Job. Fire fell from heaven and killed all his sheep and the servants of the sheep. And again, only one messenger managed to get away to tell Job the story. Then the camels were stolen and the servants killed. And again a messenger came.

But still the torment wasn't enough. Job still sent praise to his God.

Satan had a great wind come from the desert and collapse his house with all his children inside. They were killed.

After he had learned all this, Job tore his robe, shaved his head and fell to the ground in worship. How can we take all of God's blessing and not the troubles. He came into the world with nothing and he would leave the world the same way.

Satan still wasn't appeased by this. He still thought Job would curse God to his face if God would let Satan attack Job's flesh and bones. God agreed to this condition. And Satan tormented Job even more giving him painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. And even with all of this, Job still praised God even during his weak days. He didn't let Satan win his bet with God.

In the end, God blessed Job's life even more than he'd blessed his life to begin with. He now had twice as much fortune, and a new family with the same amount of children.

Can you imagine going through all that and then still praising God? Heck, I grumble if some stupid thing happens.

My prayer for you is to have the Strength of Job and praise God even in your weak days, the days that really suck. Praise God and seek His face.

How great is God - beyond our understanding. - Job 36:26

Be Still Once More - Daily Inspiration

He says, "Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord Almighty is with us,
the God of Jacob is our fortress
— Psalm 46: 10-11

Be still.

That's a hard thing for a lot of us. Our busy lives push us to check out our Facebook wall, our Twitter feed, and our email. And that's all before we dive into our daily job with all its busyness and rush, rush, rush.

Not a lot of stillness happening out there.

I was watching the OWN Network a week or so back and a show came across my screen portraying a town in Iowa where everyone meditated twice a day. Even the young kids, the high schoolers, everyone.

They had the little children do a walking meditation where they walked around campus for five minutes saying a single word silently to themselves over and over in their mind.

I think that's pretty cool, but what if we took that one step further. What if when we meditated we put our thoughts on the will of God, a scripture or something else that would draw us closer to our Maker.

After all, what you focus on expands. And wouldn't you rather expand the will of God in your life, or God's word than fretting on all the troubles we dwell on each day?

Be still and know that He is God.
Be still and know that He is with you.
Be still and know that His unfailing love fills your heart and heals you.
He's with you.
Be still.

A Modern Parable - Daily Inspiration

The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs. - Isaiah 58:11

Imagine you are at a resort. It's unfamiliar. You've barely had time to look around. Suddenly, the power to the entire resort is gone.

The guests all gather outside, including you. It's a pitch black, moonless night. The night manager stands in the center if the group. He's a calm voice among the storm of concerned voices. He asks everyone to stay together and follow him.

No one is used to the dark. Their eyes haven't adjusted to the darkness. The night manager assures the crowd that he was out earlier for his break. His eyes have adjusted. "I know this area very well. Stay close and follow me."

Some utter concerns about getting lost, snakes, spider or other wild animals, but the night manager ask them to focus on his voice and he will get them through. In the end he leads them safely to a resort close by.

Jesus is a lot like the night manager in this story. He doesn't tell us we'll have a danger-free life. He promises to be our guide through this journey of life. And if we stay close to him and keep our eyes on his purpose, he will get us through safely.

God's promises are like stars. The darker the night, the more brightly they shine. - David Nicholas

Today is the one-month anniversary of this daily inspiration blog. I hope you've enjoyed it. My prayer for you is that you put your trust in the One that will lead you safely in the dark and get you home safely.

Meant To Be - Daily Inspiration

You were meant to be touching the lives that you touch,
Meant to be here giving this world to much more
than it could be without you in it.
— Steven Curtis Chapman, "Meant To Be"

Yes, I'm obsessed. Steven Curtis Chapman, AGAIN! I can only laugh. I'm a dork.

When I first heard this song, it really touched me. I think it was originally written for a Veggie Tales movie. I'm so glad SCC decided to put this song on his latest album, "re•creation."

You were meant to be exactly where you are RIGHT NOW. Dealing with the situations you are dealing with. Encountering the people you've been encountering.

We sometimes think we've taken the wrong road, made the wrong decision, but every decision you make is part of God's plan. And he knew about it before you even thought it.

Doesn't that blow your mind?

It's like the mind of God is better than any super-computer we puny humans could ever create, better than any genius who ever lived. God coordinated the lives and decisions of the entire world, every single one of us. We are right now exactly where He wants us to be. And if you are reading this - God planned it. We are doing exactly what he wants us to do.

You may be in a bad situation, it may be horrible, sad, unhealthy, or even deadly, but you are where you are supposed to be.

Are you giving the world the strength of who you really are? Are you touching the lives you should be touching? If not, maybe it's time you started. I've heard someone tell me once that if you have a rolodex, you have a ministry. Well, I guess these days it would be, if you have a contact list, you have a ministry.

My prayer for you is to never fear that you're walking down the wrong path. God has placed you just where you need to be. He's equipped with you talents that will make it easier for you to accomplish His mission. Trust in Him and let Him lead you to the cross.

Long Way Home - Daily Inspiration

I was driving home from the store listening to the top 20 countdown on my local Christian radio station. The number 19 song was "Long Way Home" As I was listening to the lyrics, I realized I must have had my ears closed to the message in my few previous hearings of it.

Basically, what it's saying is that if your great adventure of life is filled with so many stumbling blocks that you can't see the road - that's okay. You're just taking the long way home.

Taking the long way doesn't mean you're missing God's favor or plan. He's always right by our side. Taking the long way may be a bit of a rougher road, but when you come out on the other side you'll be a much better person. Because through your trials you've learned great lessons. Every move you make is part of His plan.

My parents used to call the long way taking the scenic route. And along the scenic route you get a much better view if the country. Similarly, just like taking the scenic routes in life show you a richer, though maybe filled with obstacles, more wonderful world.

My prayer for you is that if you're struggling on your long way home, take heart, God is there with you. Allow yourself to soak in His presence. Let him lift you up. And if your road seems pretty straight and narrow, why not take the scenic route once in awhile. Bust out of your comfort zone. You'll be a much better person for it.

Tailor-Made - Daily Inspiration

God only made one you. And He only made one me. Every single person in the world is a one-of-a-kind original.

And no one but you can live your life. No one in history, past or present. Only you.

God tailor-made YOU!

He personally formed and made each one. - Isaiah 43:7 MSG

There are no extra YOUs sitting on a shelf in God's workshop. You aren't made with cookie cutters. When God made you he broke the mold.

And if you don't use the specific gifts God equipped you with -- the world misses out, we miss out!

You are Heaven's four-leaf clover and we get one shot at seeing you shine. Don't let us miss out on the gift of you and your talents.

My prayer for you is to step out and SHINE! Show the world the gifts God blessed you with and the whole world will benefit.

From the place if His dwelling he looks on all the inhabitants of earth. He fashions their hearts individually. - Psalm 33:14-15

A Dove of a Musical Color - Daily Inspiration

I was following the Dove Awards last night on Twitter.If you've never heard of them, the Dove Awards are a yearly award show show celebrating gospel and christian music.

I love the Dove Awards. You get to see people sing together who normally wouldn't. You get to hear music you usually wouldn't. It just sort of busts you out of your musical comfort zone.

The best part is the musical performances. Of course, I didn't get to see them last night, but I can't wait to hear them on April 24th when they broadcast the event  on GMC (formerly the Gospel Music Channel)

I started listening to contemporary Christian music in 1990. Back then I didn't even know music was categorized in such a way. I caught a video for a song called "The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Chapman on one of our local channels. I wasn't the type that usually watched videos so I'm assuming the television had been broadcasting something else the hour before and had switched to a video segment while I was out of the room.

Seeing that video sort of changed my life. Somehow I immediately knew that was Christian music even though I had never heard the term in relation to music before. I bought the cassette when our local Wal-Mart started carrying contemporary Christian music. I must have worn that cassette out. (Yes, cassette. It was THAT long ago.) Along the way, I found other music I enjoyed in the same genre: Susan Ashton, Kathy Troccoli, Clay Crosse.

Not long after my discovery of Christian music, I used to imagine myself singing the songs from those albums on a stage somewhere. I don't know why, it just seemed logical to my brain.

My grandfather was a complete southern gospel, hymnal music listener. He thought my Christian music was just a waste of time. But somehow I knew this was something I'd been looking for and didn't even know it.

Now I sing songs just like the ones I listened to back then on the stage of my own church. And it all stems back from that one video by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Has a musical album had a profound impact on you? My story isn't unusual. I had a musical album draw me back to church. At the time, I don't think a personal invitation would have worked. What about you? What drew you back to church? I'd love to know your input.

Saddle up your horses. We've got a trail to blaze.

Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace.

We'll follow our leader into the glorious unknown.

This is a life like no other, whoa, this is the Great Adventure!

— The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman

Snowball Effect - Daily Inspiration

Nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. - Wm. Shakespeare

Have you ever been having a perfectly great day then something happens or you get reminded about something that pushed all your buttons? Then that one thought built and before you knew it, you'd been dwelling on that one thought all day long. And what started as a perfectly great day now has you all up tight and stressed out.

I like to call that the snowball effect. And sometimes other thoughts get caught up in our giant snowballs. You begin to fret about all the things you need to get done, the fight you had with your co-worker, and the disc drive you haven't had time to fix in your laptop.

Pretty soon you begin the internal dialogue. "I can't believe how busy I am. Why does this always happen to me?" You start re-living every bad confrontation you've had with your boss. And each thought gets you more and more upset until you find yourself in meltdown mode. Before you know it, it's impossible to find that good mood you started the day with.

“My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed.- Job 20:2 (NIV)

I can't tell you how many times something like this has happened to me. Yep, even yesterday. And I seem to let my mental snowballs shower havoc all over my life. But it doesn't have to be that way.

The key is to catch yourself before the mental snowball even starts. If you don't let it get out of control and gain momentum, the snowball will fall apart before it even gets started.

If you're having trouble shifting out of those horrible feelings, try listening to music or watching an episode of your favorite television show. Getting yourself distracted from your old thought process is the key.

My prayer for you is that you focus on how grateful you are that you have a great family, a satisfying job and a great God who will always have your back. Build yourself a reverse snowball of every good thing you'll have in your life. Sometimes mental snowballs can work in our favor,

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me. - Psalm 13:2 (NIV)

Don't Be Anxious - Daily Inspiration

Blessed are the merciful -they will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7

Have you ever gotten yourself worked up over something when upon closer reflection it really wasn't that big a deal after all? I have.

So many of us spend our energy sweating the small stuff that we miss much of the magic of life.

This is a big issue for me. But my problem is that I don't just sweat the small stuff, I sweat the big stuff as well.

A few years ago I went to a tax preparer who was having a conflict with her secretary. At the time I had a more complex tax return. I was working in Missouri and living in Illinois. So, I had more forms to fill out.

When I went into her office to see if my returns were ready to pick up, the secretary told me that my preparer had lost all my information.

I was already stressed because the lady had made me wait three week and now I hear all my info is gone? You can imagine this, right? If I had been a cartoon character steam would have been pouring out of my ears.

The mere prospect of having to gather all my paperwork again had my head spinning. My anxiety skyrocketed. And this day was the starting point of a new anxiety for me.

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

Eventually, I did get it all straightened out. The secretary had been lying to me and my info wasn't lost, but my preparer did file the paperwork improperly. I had to pay out $900 to Illinois that should have been waived since I paid taxes in Missouri.

The money was returned to me six months later. But a new anxiety had been born in me.

My heart still clinches at tax time, but I have made great strides in relieving it. I got a brand new tax preparer that I love. They make me feel safe and I appreciate that.

What would have happened if I hadn't reacted so strongly? Maybe I wouldn't continue to feel twinges of anxiety today.

My prayer for you today is that you don't sweat the small stuff and when the big stuff comes around, gauge your reaction and keep your head.

Psalm 139:23 - Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Walk With The Wise -Daily Inspiration

Today is my Great Aunt Pootie's 90th Birthday! (Her real name is Florence Bierman.) Quite a milestone, don't you think? Not many of us will live to see it.

She's just as full of spunk as she was when she was twenty. She embodies the axiom "live life to the fullest." There's a scripture that reminds me of her: Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. - Proverbs 13:20

My great aunt is the wisest person I know and not only that, she has the biggest heart.

When she lived in Centralia, my great aunt baked little loafs of bread that she gave to newcomers to her church. And she not only did this once in awhile, she did it every Sunday. I'm sure she welcomed those new guests with a wide smile, a hug, and a "wonderful to see you."

My great aunt's favorite word is wonderful, and she says in a lilting way that sounds wonderful too.

Yes, my great aunt is a happy, loving spirit, the type of person people compare you to. And I don't mind having such a personality to live up to. Not everyone gets an Great Aunt Pootie in their lives. I know I'm lucky.

My family once met my great aunt at her church for a meal. I don't remember the specific circumstance, but one thing stays with me. My parents and I walk in the door and when we see her we hug her. Not just one of us. We each do it. Then when my Aunt Jane and Uncle Fred come in they greet her and hug her too. It's something we do. We're a family of huggers. Other people at her church gave us strange looks as if they thought hugging just wasn't right. Sorry people, but if you're in my family, I'M HUGGING YOU!

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. - Proverbs 15:1

My great aunt and her sisters Elizabeth, Sue and Edna decided many years ago to start an annual tradition. We call it the family reunion. We meet every year in Centralia on the last Sunday of June. Last year over one-hundred people showed up.

I know a lot of families aren't like ours. They don't meet every year, they don't hug each other when they see them. And I think that's sad. If my family wasn't close, I'd never gotten to know my Great Aunt Pootie. I never would have known she was a master at not only quilting but making good friends.

My great aunt isn't just great, she's WONDERFUL!

My prayer for you is to seek out those wonderful people in your family. Get to know them. Grow wise from them. After all, when we walk with the wise we grow wise. :)

If we walk with the wise, we will grow wise, oh,

And if we walk in the light then our path will be bright, 

I know, yeah, I know,

And when someone who's already been where we must go, 

In the light of what they've learned we find, 

That we will grow wise, when we walk with the wise. 

Steven Curtis Chapman "Walk With The Wise"

Seasons - Daily Inspiration

It's been a lot colder today than it has been for the last month. Spring came early this year, but you wouldn't know it based on today's weather. It's been kind of a roller coaster lately. One day it's hot, then the next it's cold.

Life's kinda like that too, isn't it? 

One day you're doing a-okay and the next you're in a funk the likes you've never seen. Sometimes there's a string of good days. The sort where everything is clicking along in one groovy motion after another and then God throws a wonky day in the mix. And on that day, Murphy's Law sets in. The sort of day where you want to jump back into bed and start again.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.

God didn't promise that your days would always be good. Sometimes he needs to teach you a lesson that only a wonky day can provide. But he did promise us that he would always be with us, walking beside us, or carrying us if the trial is too heavy.

So, if your "season" has one trial after another, take heart. God is working in you and giving you a new strength that only he can provide.

My prayer for you is to embrace your "seasons," good or bad. And know that even the bad days are working in your favor.

Genesis 26:24
That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”

Not To The Swift - Daily Inspiration

The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. - Ecclesiastes 9:11 MSG

I've never been one to get from point A to point B slowly. I was the girl who walked too fast, talked to fast and completed everything at lightning speed.

Speedy Delivery used to be my motto. And I've been known to say it when completing a job someone needed quickly. I used to think getting things done quickly was a good thing. And it is, to a point.

When you make fast-forward the gear you live in, you begin to miss the important things.

I had to teach myself to slow down. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy. Constantly reminding myself to slow down was tiring.

I used to design ads that set land speed records. And all putting my life in fast-forward did was amp up the stress I already had ten-fold.

There is a reason that scripture at the beginning says 9:11. Life isn't an emergency. The race isn't always to the swift. Learning the art of slowing down is important if you don't want to live your life in the danger zone. It's no wonder I now have high blood pressure. I had lived my entire life that way.

Slowing down was my goal, but I had lived so long in emergency mode I didn't know how to live any other way.

My prayer for you is to notice if you're living your life too swiftly. And if you are, take a note from our friend the tortoise. Slow and steady usually wins the race.

We Come Prepackaged - Daily Inspiration

He has filled them with skill. - Exodus 35:35

We were born prepackaged. God knew exactly who you'd be at the beginning of creation. And he gave you specific skills and tools to accomplish your assignment on earth.

Before going on vacation you have a lot of things to plan for, don't you? You have to figure out where you're going, how you'll get there, how many times you'll stop for gas, so many things.

God planned all of us out ahead of time. And he packaged us for a purpose.

One of the ways we know our purpose is according to our desires. What things do you think about when you're not thinking about work or family? That could give you a peek into knowing your purpose.

Personally, I love books and pens, writing, singing, designing... And God gave me abilities in all of these areas. When I was younger I loved to dance, but that season, just like that desire, seems to be gone for me.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Find out what you love to do. Discover your bliss and you'll have a clue about the talents your Heavenly Father has gifted you with.

My prayer for you today is that you take time to discover what you're really passionate about. Because God prepackaged us for a purpose.

Godly Brewing- Daily Inspiration

Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:27

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me, I was found by those who did not seek me,"
says the Lord. - Isaiah 65:1

When I gave out my invite cards to my church's Easter Sunday service, I wasn't sure the effect they would have. The guy who plainly gave me the hard glare and cold shoulder has been going out of his way to be nice to me recently. He's always been civil, speaking occasionally. But he saw I was attempting to get into a locked door one day last week. He could have just let me walk around the building, I'd done it before. He probably saw me from a hundred feet away. But he spanned that distance walked up a few stairs and let me in.

I appreciated the gesture. He even smiled. It was an awkward kind of smile, the type that makes it seem like he didn't make the attempt very often.

As I was walking away from him and into the lunch room, I wondered if God was working inside of him. He seemed like one of those people who needed to come to such a great decision on his own and in his own time. I'm sure it will be baby steps for him.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.
Anyone who does what is good is from God. - 3 John 1:11

Don't conform to the patterns of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. - Romans 12:2

I could have chosen to by-pass that one guy who seemed so adamant in his refusal not to attend church. But something inside of me made me attempt it, even though he didn't accept my offer or my card.

Even in our supposed failures God can brew a success. God's plan eludes me. I can't think big enough to decipher the plans of the Lord, but I want him to use me as a tool to help other people, the lost, find Him.

I don't always know the right thing to say, but I know God does.

Has God put people in your path he wants you to touch in some way. Don't be frightened by the prospect of talking to them. Let God speak speak through you, even if you think you'll say the wrong words. God will make it work for His good.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. - 1 John 4:7

Connections - Daily Inspiration

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

I recently got an iPod Touch. It's a pretty amazing little device. And as I told my cousin, Shaun, it's a little scary how connected you can be to the world with it. Internet, email, Twitter, Facebook. It does everything an iPhone does except place calls.

We have that same connection to God. He's available to us 24/7. He doesn't sleep. He doesn't take breaks. And when you need him he's right there beside you, loving you through your problem, difficulty or concern. He's there for you even if the need is tiny. Even if the need is mountainous.

But remember, God doesn't always say YES to everything. Sometimes his stoic answer no is exactly what we need. God knows our hearts. He knows our every thought. He's known us since the beginning of creation.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27

So the next time you click on one of those apps on your iPhone, iPod, iPad or whatever, remember that it's just as simple to call out to God. Our creator. Our redeemer. Our protector. Call on him today.

Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”
2 Chronicles 14:11

Worth More Than Gold - Daily Inspiration

For my birthday, I treated myself to a few CDs. I love music and I love how it teaches us so many things. There's a lot of great music coming out right now. One song in particular spoke to me this week. It's called "Gold" from Britt Nicole. It's based on a scripture in 1 Peter:

1 Peter 1:6-7
I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

"Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold," she sings.

Do you ever feel like you're not enough? That you don't matter. That whatever you do is never good enough? I struggle with these sorts of feelings even today.

Galatians 5:26
Each of us is an original

I've always known I was a tad off center. In our family we called ourselves "weird" and we were okay with the term, we embraced it, in fact.

I was very good in my youth at guessing what people were thinking, especially in my own family. I guess I really was interpreting facial expressions, vocal tone and body movements and coming up with what was going on in their head. But back then I had a different label for it. I used to joke that I could SEE THE TRUTH.

I wish I could have seen the truth when I gave up bits of my self-esteem over the years. But sometimes life doesn't work that way. We have to go through troubles and tossed on the waves of a hurricane of life to learn the lessons God sets forth for us.

Sometimes I'm not as good a friend to myself as God is to me, or as I am to others. I wish I could see myself like God does. He says we're worth more than gold. We are unique... or as I like to think of it YOU-nique! No one else out there is like you. (Quoting a bit of Mr. Rogers.)

YOU ARE YOU-NIQUE!

We are each unique expressions, individual. Society says you can be anything you want. But can you? Can a pine cone become a rose? Can a dolphin fly? Can lead become gold?

Absolutely not.

But you can be everything God wants you to be. God has given us each talents and abilities and desires to do accomplish these things. And these abilities make us YOU-nique.

Maybe someday I'll discover why I'm such a sensitive nut. Maybe that's some aspect of myself that makes me a better writer, I don't know. Maybe it gives me more empathy to connect to songs with my singing. There are any number of reasons why, God only knows for sure.

Do you struggle with low self-esteem? Do you try to people please, and please everyone except yourself. My prayer for you today is to realize that in the eyes of God, you are worth more than gold. You are YOU-nique! Take a minute today to see yourself like God does.

Romans 5: 6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Reflections - Daily Inspiration

When you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change.

Walking through life is a lot like navigating your way through a fun house of mirrors. Everywhere you turn all you see is your own reflection.

And that's how life is really. The lives of others are only reflections of ourselves.

You don't get what I mean? Let me give you an example.

Have you ever known someone who had a habit that really annoyed you? Well, don't come down too hard on them. All you're seeing is an aspect of yourself reflected in their actions. That's why it bugs you so much. You do it too!

You may not want to admit it, but subconsciously, you know the truth. You have that annoying trait.

That's why I have to catch myself before judging anyone too harshly. I can sometimes see that annoying trait in myself and sometimes I can't, but I know it's there. And I'd rather be safe than sorry.

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 12:15

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Matthew 7:1

Sometimes we don't notice the reflections in that fun house of mirrors but we get lost navigating our way to the other side. Kind of reminds you of life, doesn't it? We tend to walk in circles, learning the same lessons over and over until someone comes along and gives us a helping hand to find a way out.

I want to remind you that God is that helping hand. He's always with you, walking right beside you, offering you his loving kindness. Accept his help today.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

God Had a Plan B - Daily Inspiration

When God started out this journey between him and mankind, do you think he expected man to become like they did? Did he expect Eve to eat the apple from the tree of life after he told both her and Adam not to partake? And if he did realize mankind was going to turn out this way, do you ever wonder why he even bothered with us? It would all eventually lead to this, right?

For every Sodom & Gomorrah, you'd think there was a town of people who lived their days in exactly the way God intended. But that's not the way it turned out.

Genesis 6:13
So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

He wiped the slate clean, destroyed the world and saved only Noah and his family. Bummer. I think that's a bit extreme, but then again, I don't have the wisdom of God Almighty.

Genesis 6:5-6
The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.

God had a mighty anger going back then, didn't he? People weren't like they are today. Nephilim were in the land at that time. And people weren't living up to God's lofty expectations and now he was forced to start again.

When I think about God, I don't dwell on icky times like this. In times like this he shows us his power, his might, his all-knowingness. He shows that he is God and when you don't follow his ways, he has dire plans for you.

But the good news is, after this experience, God promised mankind that he'd never go to such extremes again.

Mankind was restarted by the righteous family of Noah. So, I guess we all started out with a better chance of being good and not ticking off God again. But in the end, God still needed a Plan B.

And that Plan B was Jesus.

God must have realized that no matter how hard we try we could never live up to his mighty expectations. We were born in sin and we continued to sin. That's why he sent Jesus. So that through his sacrifice we would all be cleaned from the sin God couldn't tolerate.

He gave us all a chance to accept it.

Do you think God knew about this Plan B way back in the beginning of creation? When he was breathing the universe into existence, did he know what was about to take place? How we would disappoint him?

And if he did, WOW!

My God has more patience than anything I can compare it to. He knew back in the beginning that having a relationship with us was so important he'd have to work hard for it.

But for us he made it simple. Ask Jesus into your heart and follow him.

Are there relationships in your life that you need to work a little harder on? Call on God and have him send down his almighty patience and the strength to deal with whomever you're struggling with. Ask God for your own Plan B. I know he'll make a way and guide you through it.

Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Easter Is Not About A Bunny - Daily Inspiration

It's that time of year again. Millions of children flock to Easter baskets filled with colorful eggs, chocolate bunnies, candy and jelly beans. But we need to remember Easter isn't about candy and Easter egg hunts.

It's about a serious topic. Perhaps the most serious in the entire Bible.

Easter is the day Jesus did the impossible. He rose from the dead.

Three days earlier he died on the cross, tortured and suffering then put away into a dark, dank tomb where they placed a large rock. They definitely didn't want to make it easy for the so-called son of God to escape.

Jesus had committed no crime except telling the masses that he was the son of God and to follow him.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

Can you imagine how much strength that takes?

When you stand up to people who are constantly against you it takes massive inner conviction to stay the course. And Jesus dealt with that his entire life. That's a dibilitating about of bullying from both peasant and kings.

He died for us all even after they tormented him. Crucified him. Then Killed him.

But they couldn't kill his spirit.

THREE DAYS LATER... HE ROSE AGAIN!

He showed those people who put his lifeless body in the tomb that no mere rock could keep his spirit in the grave. His father had much bigger plans for him. Just like he has much bigger plans for us all.

My prayer for you today is to remember when you're eating all that leftover candy, Easter isn't about a bunny or a rabbit or chocolate. It's about the fact that Jesus died and today he still lives. Accept him and start a new life.

Family Is More Than Blood - Daily Inspiration

My Grandfather was a great man. I always said he and my grandmother were the only real grandparents I ever had. But even with all the love we poured out to him, he had one paralyzing fear. If grandma died first, would we all leave him?

I think deep inside he knew we loved him. But I soon discovered why he had this fear, this fear I totally couldn't understand.

He was married before he married my grandmother. And when he and his first wife split up, his first family abandoned him. Not only did the wife leave him, but so did the child. I could never understand that. My grandfather was so easy to love. Why would they abandon him like that? Not even a card here and there or an occasional phone call. Once they were divorced, it was over.

I hate that my grandfather had to go through that. But sometimes God knows best.

I tell everyone that I get my gift of singing from him, even though technically we're not related by blood. My grandfather, Bud Marrs, was an ordained minister, did prison ministry for many years and sang in more gospel quartets than I can remember the names of.

He was the one who inspired me to sing. He always believed in my talent. And I don't think I would have used it like I do today if it weren't for him.

When I was in sixth grade, my music teacher, Mr. Hawkins, told me that I didn't have a strong enough voice to be in the choir. Only select sixth graders were allowed to be in the choir at that time. I didn't understand why I wasn't good enough. My grandfather told me I was. I was certain I was. I never doubted it for a minute. That's how much faith my grandfather had in me. And through his faith in me, I gained the strength to stand up for myself.

I kept at Mr. Hawkins until he finally let me take singing lessons with him. I did that for six months. And I did eventually get into the choir. I knew I would. Grandpa said so. So I believed him.

Do you have anyone in your life like my Grandfather? Someone not necessarily related to you by blood, but someone who inspires you to be a better you? Tell them today how much they mean to you. Sometimes blood doesn't make a family.

Freedom of a Child - Daily Inspiration

Let their flesh be renewed like a child's, let them be restored as in the days of their youth. Job 33:25

People die every day. It's a fact of life.

Did you ever stop to think that all those people had plans? They planned on losing ten pounds, writing that book, falling in love. But now it's too late. They waited too long to accomplish their goals and now their life is over.

What about you? Do you have plans? You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones you'll accomplish when you get around to them. Someday, but just maybe not today. Tomorrow? Or the day after?

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Since 1998 I've been writing a web serial called The Legacy. (It's all about spies. Visit my blog at thelegacy.blogspot.com if you are interested).

And since 1998 my sister, Andi, has been encouraging me to write a real novel. So, what have I been doing... You know where this is going, right?

I'll do it someday. Someday when I'm not too busy. I know it's going to take A LOT of time. Excuse after excuse.

I have learned a lot after all these years of writing my own original fiction. I often wonder how I graduated twenty-second in my class with such under-developed writing skills. But I've made up for them since then.

I've always been a big fan of Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown. They could always figure out anything. And I wanted to have characters like that too. That's why when I first started writing, I made my characters along a similar vein.

My brother was nine when I started this writing journey. And he was my only audience. I wrote about a group of characters called The Outbacks. Four very different kids, two were a brother and sister. And they had somehow become friends and had great adventures.

Since Aaron, my brother, was the only person I read them to, I didn't care how bad the writing was. And believe me, it was bad. Back then I was free to create anything. Nothing held me back.

Fast-forward to now. I don't have that same freedom. I've let all the expectations I've imagined others have of me to grind my writing wheel to a halt. They all expect too much of me, I say to myself. But truly, it's me to expects too much of me.

When I first wrote fan fiction, I used to love putting the characters in dire situations. I'd get giddy about it and tell my parents my plans to put these imaginary people through the ringer. I didn't care. It was fun.

Now I feel stifled. And I wonder if my writing is good enough. I'll flip to Twitter and see if anyone has responded to my post, retweeted me. Have I been validated for all my hard work?

Why do we do these things to ourselves? Why can't we be like little children giddy at the prospect of creation. Creating just to create and not caring about the rest.

My prayer for you today is to find that freedom that is so alive in the children of today. Do things with freedom and passion. Don't dwell on what anyone else thinks. Work on your fun creation today, because tomorrow may come too soon.

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3

Do Not Worry - Daily Inspiration

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I have always been such a 'fraidy-cat when it comes to needles. In 6th grade I was diagnosed with allergies & asthma. They stuck me with a plethora of needles and sharp things that it's no wonder they give me the shivers today.

I spent a majority of my time as a kid at the doctor's office. Maybe that's why as an adult I steered away from doctors. The last time I went to a doctor regularly was in college.

For 20 years I was able to convince myself I didn't need a doctor. Last year I finally relented. All those years of avoiding what I was worried about had only made the conditions I'd developed worse. I knew I probably had high blood pressure and diabetes. My job in St. Louis had made me stressed out (and sitting all day in front of a computer didn't help).

I can count on one hand the number of sick days I took in the 13 years I worked there. I was too worried what they would think if I took a day off. I wasn't really deathly sick. I knew what real sickness felt like, didn't I?

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? - Matthew 6:25

Trying to do my best and never getting sick became my mantra. I had too much to do to be sick.

A couple of years ago I nearly passed out giving too small vials of blood. All those years of avoiding the doctor had turned into a full blown phobia.

Stress and worry had taken over my life and those fears were showing up in physical reactions. Can any of you relate to this?

When we avoid things we develop phobias about them and when we dwell on what we cannot change we only make ourselves unhappy and a bundle of frayed nerves

Releasing worry and stress is a process. I'm a lot better today but I work on it every day.

My prayer for you today is to admit if you're stressed and prone to worry. Take steps today to find relief. Don't go another day without talking with someone who doesn't push your buttons. Write your frustrations out in a journal. Do what it takes to help yourself.

When we're stressed we try to take on the world, and we usually do it alone. Don't be that type of person anymore. Begin the healing process today.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? - Matthew 6:27

Common Ground - Daily Inspiration

 Let me come back to where I started—and don't hold it against me if I continue to sound a little foolish. Or if you'd rather, just accept that I am a fool and let me rant on a little. - 2 Corinthians 11:16-21 MSG

Do you ever get turned off when something seems a bit too "churchy"? I've always been of the opinion that the church community could do a better job of reaching those unchurched masses. Sometimes I think we scare off more people than we attract. Our honey can taste like vinegar to a regular person that doesn't attend services on Sundays.

If you don't currently go to church, you're not used to those people who shout "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!" when the pastor shares a compelling point or scripture. If you're anything like me, you're used to how the secular world gets the masses to buy clothes, movie tickets and everything from lawn mowers to storage units. They make a cool/funny commercial that shows their product in the most compelling and sparkling light. It's the type of light that makes us want to go out and buy whatever it is because we need that RIGHT NOW!

Wouldn't it be cool if people flocked to church like that. If someone said, "I had to come to church today because I know I REALLY NEED IT!" That would be, in the words of my choir director, awesome.

I think we need to treat church in that way. We have to show those we want to attract that it is really honey we're serving and not vinegar. And this honey is the best honey in the world because it gives us a new life.

I recently tried to hand our invite cards to our Easter service to people at my work, people who probably never had one stray thought about going to church on Sunday. To them it's just another day. Of the three people, the first one gave me a frosty look and the cold shoulder. He didn't attend church and never would. The other two each laughed nervously and said they might burst into flames if they passed the threshold of the building.

So, how do we reach these people who would rather watch television shows about vampires and read books featuring every type of paranormal creature? I don't really have an answer but I wanted to throw the topic out there and see what spilled forth. Do you have a great idea that will compel the so called normal people of the world? If you do, leave me a comment, I'd love to know your take on the subject.

My prayer for you today is to be tolerant of those unchurched masses, those people who are nothing like you. Give them honey when they spew vinegar and try to find a common ground with them. Invite them to YOUR Easter service and see what unfolds.


You've forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we're at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me. - 2 Corinthians 12:1 MSG

Musical Birthday Message - Daily Inspiration

Today is my birthday, so, I thought I'd send you a musical message today. Music is very important to me. I sing alto in my church choir. (And if you're an alto, our choir needs YOU!)

All is well. All is well. You are Lord, and all is well. You're the hope of my heart and a piece beyond myself. You are Lord and all is well. — Kathy Troccoli "All is Well"

Do you listen to Christian music? I do. I love how the musical message in the song can feed you even when you don't know it. And it happens right through your radio, CD or MP3.

I've often gotten into my car and heard the same song over and over. Is this God speaking to us through music? That happens to me all the time. When I'm dwelling on something that makes me anxious, sad or depressed, there is always a song that speaks to me, comforts me and makes me feel better.

God knows what we need.

I think God speaks to us through songs by drawing our attention to them over and over. It's like a heavenly "LISTEN UP!"

Sometimes your blessings come through raindrops. Sometimes your healing comes through tears. Sometimes a thousand sleepless nights is what it takes to know you're near. Sometimes trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise. — Laura Story "Blessings"

Are there times when you are being a bit hard-headed and have shut your ears to your friends, your family and even God? I think this is when God puts music into our path. Music isn't scary. It soothes us. Music soothes the savage beast, right?

There have been times when I've been in a horrible state of mind during the day running the garbage over and over in my mind. But then I get into my car and drive home... those five minutes of listening to my favorite christian radio station refresh my mind and give me a great sense of peace.

We all need that, I think.

So, my prayer for you today is to really pay attention to the musical messages God is sending you. When the storms of life come your way let that song God sends you give you the peace God is trying to convey.

I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hand. You are who you are no matter where I am. And every tear I cry, you hold in your hand. You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm. — Casting Crowns "Praise You In This Storm"

Everyday Lessons - Daily Inspiration

Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. - Hymn

Every day we learn lessons. Every day God puts forth trials for us to overcome and learn from. When I started this series of daily inspirations, I thought for sure the ideas would run out after a few days. But each new day brings new experiences in my life, experiences I learn from. Each new day brings one more thing to write about. And I find that amazing

Instead of dwelling on the things that bother me, I've turned them around to bring a new inspiration. And as I do this, it renews me. I think I get more out if it than anyone else.

By not dwelling on my troubles, I believe this helps me not take my life or my journey on this planet for granted.

Because of this realization I wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

Thank you to the people who inspire me everyday. Thank you to all my co-workers who sometimes have to put up with my drama. Thank you to my church family. They accept me just as I am, and they always have my back. You have no idea how much I appreciate you all. Thank you to God for taking a small girl with allergies and asthma and blessing her with so many gifts that I am truly humbled. They are gifts I can never repay.

So, my prayer for you today is to count your blessings and say thank you to those who always have your back.

God gave us a gift. His name was Jesus. His sacrifice is something none of us can ever repay. But we can be thankful and glad he loved us enough to pay that price.

For God do loved the world, he gave his only begotten son that whosoever  believed in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

A Time of Renewal - Daily Inspiration

Jesus said, "Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest." - Mark 6:31

You ever have one of those days? The day seemed to start off just as ordinary as the day before, but then one small incident fell like a ton of bricks on your head. And then everything after that seemed to spiral, one thing after another until all your carefully placed dominos had toppled over into a hot mess.

That was me on Thursday.

By noon, I was ready for a walk outside. I needed a new perspective. I needed to find a new way to relate to the world. In the end all I did was walk two blocks to a local store, bought a few things for lunch and walked back. I purposely stayed away from my desk for my entire lunch period (30 min), not something I usually do.

My mood had progressively nose dived durning the morning and this time alone was refreshing me.

When I worked a four day week in St. Louis, Thursday was the day I renewed myself. I felt like I'd dealt with too many people and too much nonsense over the course of the week and I took Thursday to do things just for me. It was my day off.

Every time Thursday came, I was so happy to see it. I needed Thursday like a dying man needed water. Thursday was my day.

Maybe I'm the only weird person who needs time alone, but I don't think do. I believe we all need to be refreshed. We need time to find our way when things look sour.

My mother has told me on more than one occasion not to eat at my desk and to get away from the rat race even if it's only for a second. She knew that I needed it.

On Thursday she was right, but aren't moms usually right?

Wisdom is found in those who take advice. - Proverbs 13:10

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which your Lord your God is giving you. - Exodus 20-12

Deep down I always knew she was right on the money, but one excuse after another had built up until I found myself paralyzed. I wanted to get away for a few moments but I felt compelled not to. On Thursday, I had to. I needed to.

My prayer for you is to make sure you take time out for yourself today. Make sure you make yourself a priority, even if all you can manage is a short walk to the store. Taking time out for you is important. Taking time out is a priority. Do it everyday.

Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10

It Is The Little Things - Daily Inspiration

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless his name. - Psalm 100:4

You have put gladness in my heart. More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. - Psalm 4:7

You never appreciate things more than when you avert a disaster. That happened to my family this week.

It was an unseasonably warm couple of days and my parents decided to air out the house. Not just for the fresh spring air but because we had been smelling a strange odor for quite some time. We speculated what the smell might be. A dead mouse? Spoiled food coming from the new refrigerator? We weren't certain but the one thing we did know -- it was mighty smelly.

After a while, the smell was making my mother sick to her stomach. Then that morning, this last Sunday, my dad woke up and began gagging. I was doing my morning walk to my favorite DVD and I kept checking the time. Dad must have gagged for ten minutes straight.

At this point we had pretty much decided what we were smelling was gas. But we weren't sure. Didn't gas smell like rotten eggs? This didn't smell like that.

That day my Dad went to a local establishment hoping to run into a guy who could help him, someone who might have a detector to tell us exactly what this smell was.

But this day, the man didn't show up. It was the first time in months this man hadn't been there on a Sunday.

Was this a blessing in disguise?

Because Dad didn't find his friend he decided to turn off both the furnace and the water heater. Because that was where we were smelling most of the gas.

Another blessing? Hum.

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. - Genesis 12:2

We went to sleep that night concerned but not truly scared. We left the doors open overnight for good measure. Maybe if we had been smarter about such things we would have been very frightened.

The smell kept my Mother up half the night with a sick stomach. And when I got up the next morning I could really smell a strong odor coming from Dad's bathroom (where the furnace & water heater live).

Our initial thought was that the smell was coming from the furnace. But it was off. So, why were we smelling it even more?

I went to work not overly concerned. Dad was planning to call someone to come over and check things out.

Did I fail to mention one small detail? My parents both smoke. That means they were lighting up off and on through our entire experience.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. - Matthew 5:5

While I was at work, Dad called the people who had originally put in those gas lines. When they went into the back yard to check the pipes, the strength of the gas about knocked them all over. At that point the workers knew this situation was a dangerous emergency. They quickly turned off the gas and fixed the leak. A pipe at ground level had completely rusted through and the gas was leaking into the house from a pipe running from the backyard to the furnace.

They told us we were lucky our house didn't explode. Amazing, huh? But there are other things to be thankful for besides the fact that I'm still alive to write this.

If it hadn't been so unseasonably warm, we wouldn't have had the doors and windows open which aired out the house.

If Dad hadn't missed his friend on Sunday, we never would have turned off the furnace and water heater.

So, we're safe today not just because the gas leak got fixed but because of all the little things that happened throughout the week. Three are probably many other things that happened throughout the previous week. There are probably many other things I don't know about that contributed to our being here today.

My prayer for you is to be thankful not just for the big things, but for all the little things you don't even notice. Because this week it was the little things that saved our lives.

And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:31

You've Got Talent - Daily Inspiration

To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. - Matthew 25:29

Sounds kind of harsh, doesn't it? It sounds harsh especially when taken out of context. This scripture is from the Parable of the Talents. Hopefully, you've heard about it, if not, here is a condensed review.

A rich man was traveling to a far country. He gave his three servants a certain amount of talents (I think this means money or goods). To one he gave five talents. To one he gave two talents. And to the third he gave one talent, each according to his own ability. The first two servants went out and invested their money some way. the one with five talents now had ten. The one with two now had four. But the third servant was fearful. He thought the market looked shaky. So he dug a hole and he hid his one talent in the ground.

When the master came back a time later he discovered first two servants had doubled their talents. He was very pleased. But with the servant who had hid his one talent, he was very upset. The master took the third servant's one talent and gave it to the one with ten.

It still sounds harsh even when going over it again.

But what if the term talents didn't just refer to money or goods. What if it referred to the gifts God had blessed each of us with. So, each time you use a talent, more will be given. Maybe that's why we see so many creative types on television delving into music, art, acting and such. 

To whom much is given, much is expected.

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own. - Luke 7:41

We all need to remember, not to judge how others deal with their talents. I always find it humorous, to watch Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. He gets this funny look on his face when he pre-judges a contestant  based on that person's appearance. I like to call it the "Susan Boyle Effect."

A new seventeen year old came on the show recently with a slim, young, beautiful girl. But this seventeen year old wasn't slim or beautiful. He didn't look anything like the voice that was about to come out of his mouth. But when he did sing, he blew Simon away. That overweight seventeen year old who didn't look like he could sing was AMAZING! He had one of those opera voice that take over the auditorium.

Jonathan Antoine definitely didn't hide his talent in the dirt. Even though he knew he would be judged, he had been many times before, he let his talent shine for all the world to see.

My prayer for you today is to be like Jonathan. Let your talent shine. Do what it is that you do and do it for the whole world to see. And maybe you'll see your talents doubled.

Judge not, that you be not judged. - Matthew 7:1

Make Your Words Sweet - Daily Inspiration

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. - Proverbs 15:1

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. - Proverbs 15:2

There is this gal I work with. She is a tiny bit of a thing. She looks like she's fifteen and still wears kid's sizes in clothes. But there is something else you notice about her almost immediately. She is very soft spoken. Sometimes it seems she barely speaks above a whisper.

But that doesn't mean she is small in spirit ... In spirit she speaks very loudly. And I find this contradiction very endearing.

Then in contrast to her soft spoken ways, there is me. My speaking voice booms. You can definitely hear me over a loud radio. I guess it's all that theatre training I received in high school. Thank you Ms. Oliver & Ms. Ford.

But sometimes the way I say something can be taken in a way I don't intend. I've seen my soft spoken co-worker flinch when I respond to her. I don't mean to startle. I'm just trying to be understood, albeit a bit too loudly. Has something like that ever happened to you?

I need to learn that my need to be understood doesn't mean I need to shout it to the back row or the rafters.

Often it's not what we say but how we say it that brings such varied responses.

Then he shall speak to him in his wrath, and distress them in his deep displeasure. - Psalm 2:5

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in you; let me not be ashamed. Psalm 25:1-2

Now, I would never purposely try to hurt anyone's feelings by using the tone of my voice to inflict distress, but I'm sure that has happened in the past... Probably more than once.

What about you? Do your words unintentionally hurt others? Do you have trouble being heard or getting your message across? Then it is my prayer for you (and myself) that you take time today to pay attention to what you say and how you say it. And make your words like sweet music to another's ears.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. - Proverbs 7:24

Be A Good Neighbor - Daily Inspiration

Be still before the LORD, all mankind,  because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling - Zechariah 2:13

Sometimes I wonder why God cares about us at all. We are but grains of sand in the universal beach of life. I mean, small and insignificant, a grain of sand of a grain of sand. We're so small I'm surprised a heavenly being can even see us.

But for some reason God got off his heavenly throne and chose to love us. He gave us chance after chance to follow his ways and we still disappointed him. You'd think a God whose children disobeyed him like that would be angry. Those pesky humans never listen. And then give up on us and float away on his mighty cloud.

But he doesn't.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:22-23

He knew all along that we could never live up to his expectations. But he knew there was a way for us to someday be with him in heaven.

God had a plan.

And that plan was Jesus Christ.

Is anything too hard for the LORD? - Genesis 18:14

So that we could one day be with him, God gave us Jesus so that through him we would have eternal life. I find that kind of mind blowing. Way back at the beginning of time he knew there would be a me. And he knew there would be a you and he set his plan in motion so that he could love us for an eternity in heaven.

But he didn't just want us to love him, he wanted us to love each other too. 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." - Galatians 5:14

God wants us to be a good neighbor. Doesn't sound too hard, does it?

My prayer for you today is to let the spirit of the Lord impress on you that God loves you just as he loves us all. And spread that love to everyone you meet today. Give a new person you've never met a smile and a wave and a warm greeting. Be the bright spot in another person's day, just as God is the light in yours.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8

The Reason He Came - Daily Inspiration

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. - Matthew 27:50-51


It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, - Luke 23:44

From these passages I don't think we see the scope of the entire situation. This is the climax if the movie. The part where they put all their cards on the table. I don't think all that happened in the environment was that darkness came, a curtain ripped and a rock broke.

In my mind I see a much more dramatic scene. I mean, it is fitting, right? The death of the son of God needs to be epic. Grand. Awesome.

Here is how I picture it...

The dark spirits swirled around the son of God as the sky darkened to almost twilight. Then as the time came they bombarded him The onslaught was constant. One spirit after another came upon him. And each spirit was the sin of one man.

Jesus took on the sin... one spirit at a time... until he had taken on the sin of the entire world, and the only way to release it was in death.

The man who took on the sin of the world must have suffered greatly. An overwhelming amount of suffering. No normal man could endure it. But he did.

Sometimes the sin of just one man is too much to bear, but the sin of the world? Everyone born and everyone who ever will be born? Can you imagine it? Unimaginable suffering.

Only a divinely supernatural person could take this torture. But Jesus didn't tell his father no. He didn't tell him he couldn't handle it.

Jesus said BRING IT ON!

After all, it was why he came.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

And then I wonder about the two men on the cross on both sides of Jesus. After seeing such a sight, how could the other man, the who rebuked Jesus not give his life? Why was he so stubborn? Jesus was offering him eternal life. Life everlasting.

But I guess he is like so many of us. We have to see it to believe it. And sometimes even seeing isn't enough. My prayer for you is that you believe in spite of not seeing. If you're having trouble, if you're in pain, turn to the one who can heal you now and forever.

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. - John 20:29

He Loves Us Anyway - Daily Inspiration

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. - Pslam 139:2

That's kinda scary, isn't it? God knows our thoughts from afar. Heck, sometimes I don't even know my own thoughts. They wiz by with such speed that I can't catch them. They say we have 12,000 thoughts per day. Whew! That would make any soul weary. That's a lot of thinking. But somehow God knows all of them. And not just mine, yours too. Everyone's.

Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. - Psalm 139:4

And now it gets worse. He knows our thoughts BEFORE we even think them! And He still loves us. Can you imagine that? Think of all the thoughts you have that you never express: gossip you hear, judgments you make, trials that are weighing heavy on you... God knows them all. He knows them and he still loves us anyway.

I have had days where just one thought tortured me all day long, and maybe the next day as well. God knows those too. He knows them and gives you the peace to deal with them.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

So, as you go through your day remember this. God is with you. He knows you. He knows your thoughts and he still loves you!

Waiting - Daily inspiration

But those who hope in the lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

I've been looking all morning for a scripture that really speaks to me today but nothing seems to be clicking. Does that ever happen to you? You want so badly to do something but you feel stuck. That's me today.

So I dusted off my favorite scripture Isaiah 40:31. And look at that! It's all about hoping and waiting. It's hard to wait on the Lord, isn't it? Especially when you have other plans.

Maybe that's what I need to do today. Wait and hope that tomorrow God will have more to say.

What is God saying to you today?

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. - Psalm 130:5

Daily Inspiration

Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

Being still is a hard thing, especially for me. My mind is constantly racing from one thing to the next. And when I get home from work at night I sometimes feel like I've done a two hour workout.

Why does just thinking make us so weary? I think it's because we don't get quiet and let God speak to us. What were we missing by listening to all our own inner dialogue? Are we missing the words of the father telling us to slow down, breathe, and trust in the words he has already given us?

Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." - Isaiah 30:21

Daily Inspiration

Jesus said, if people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me. - Luke 9:23

Sounds kinda drastic, doesn't it? Give up your life?

You know what I think it means? Give up those things you focus on that seems to fill up our lives these days. Give up the television, gossip, petty indifference to the world and turn your focus to Jesus. Because in him you will find a peace you can't fathom

And you don't just do it once. You have to choose Jesus every day. Jesus is a choice. He is the way and the truth and the life.

As the dude says on that tv commercial for the StL church - CHOOSE JESUS.

Works in Progress

I can't believe how long it has been since I last updated this blog. I finished the Friedrich the Literate 12"x12" canvas a while back. It took about a year to complete. Since then I've been working on various things. I even designed my own mini-whimsical- sampler. Maybe someday I'll even try to get some of my designs published. Wouldn't that be cool?

Currently, I'm working on a little project - a little 5x7 Winnie the Pooh. My mom wants me to take the various Pooh characters I've created and make some sort of quilt project out of it. Sounds a bit daunting, but I'm sure I could do it if I put my mind to it.

Creatively,
Toni