Word Up!

popcornw Oh, how I have missed home popped popcorn!

I didn’t know how much I missed it until we were visiting our friends in Texas. They had a huge batch that I couldn’t stay out of. Then, towards the end of our travels we stayed with another precious friend and we had home popped popcorn with her too. It was fantastic! And since we have been home we have made it at least three times. We have been on a bit of popcorn jag at our house lately!

Microwave popcorn isn’t the same. Air-popped popcorn isn’t the same. Movie theatre popcorn is close but there is too much crazy stuff in there and the price is insane. There is just something so wonderful about home popped popcorn with a little butter and salt. Mmm. Mmm!

Sometimes a close representation of something is ok. Sometimes it is what we have to work with, but it doesn’t exactly satisfy. And sometimes it is dangerous.

devourw To be honest, my faith life runs into the same problem if I am not paying attention. I look around for something that comes close to satisfying that deep need but maybe it isn’t exactly top quality sustenance. There might be things I have to overlook while I partake. Maybe I am looking for something quick because I am out of time. Sometimes I just don’t participate because the substitutes are lacking and life gets crazy and I forget about it all.

We get distracted by false apostles all the time. But this isn’t something new:

“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4

Be on guard! Distractions take our attention away from places that need our focus. It takes time, attention, and intention to remain steadfast in God’s Word.

Maybe we ought to start a new campaign. I love the idea of “Coffee Up” and I have seen it used by a lot of people. It’s an encouragement to grab that cup of coffee and get started on the day! How about “Word Up!”??? It can be that little reminder that no matter how crazy or crazy busy things are, one of the first things we need to do is have “a word” with God!

On the Road,

Liz

WordUpw

The Quiet

Have you ever noticed it is really hard to find a quiet place to be with God? There always seems to be some level of sound; the furnace fan, the hum from an electronic device, a drip, drip, drip from a faucet, or a bird chirping. Sometimes our minds have a difficult time finding quiet because so many things call for our attention and we mentally run through to-do lists. Distractions are everywhere but are reduced significantly if we at least find a quiet place.

Not too long ago, there was a time when stores weren’t open on Sunday. Youth sports events were never held on Sundays. Families stayed home and had a day of quiet. Sunday was a day of Sabbath rest. How quickly it happens that every moment we have is filled with busy-ness and noise. Are we so busy that we don’t have time to take a break?

Let me encourage you to take some time today to be still with God. Just you and God and your Bible. It is hard to steal away those moments, but it can be such a time of refreshment, honesty, insight, and peace. Let God speak to you through His Word. Let Him shed a new light on your circumstance and breath His Spirit into your soul.

Remember, we are human beings, not human doings….take time to be with God! Be refreshed, renewed, and encouraged. Take refuge in Him!

Psalm 16 is a great Psalm to ponder!

In a fog?

Ever been in a mental fog due to illness or medicine or lack of sleep or busy mind and found yourself doing something out of habit? Maybe you don’t recall how you got from Point A to Point B, but there you are.

The other day I was heading home from a certain side of town and I intended to stop by the post office. I must have been distracted somewhere because I was within one short block of home before I realized I didn’t stop at the U.S.P.S.!

Rats.

Kids arguing in the back seat can distract us. Pressing needs, grief, and sin can all distract us. I think it is fair to say that we have all been distracted from a Godly path at least once in our lives. Sometimes it is a quick detour. Other times the detour may be several years long. With God’s help and a willing spirit, you can get back on His Path.

Seek God’s heart by reading His Word. If you are in a vulnerable place, pray for Godly friends who can encourage you on His path. Be involved in a healthy congregation. Be aware that your choice of reading material, music, and ‘screen’ choices can influence your Christian Walk for good or bad. Pray for God’s strength to get on the right track and stay the course.

One of my favorites: Psalm 34