Wonder Volume VIII

In a world full of variety and chaos we tend to make choices that lean towards self-advancement. We seethe about the phone bills, the gas prices, the credit cards, and all of the immaterial things that we organize together to call a life. While on the disproportionate side of the world there is an assortment of people from children to adults whom haven’t an opportunity nor an occasion to be saved from themselves or from those who have put them there. Imagine not even knowing the difference between unconditional love and hatred. Imagine not having the security of boundaries and rules. Imagine not having your health in tact by your own accord. Imagine your life being controlled by a drunken marionette. Imagine not ever knowing the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Imagine. We are blessed by Christ so that we may bless others. We are taught strength and love so that we are strong and able to love others. We are shown mercy and unconditional love so that we may forgive and love those in need. My sister sent me a passage at a significant decision making point in my life: James 1:27; “Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” When searching for an open door to walk through you might find a brick wall. When you are ready, and truly ready to hear what God is saying to you it will show up in the form of deafening comprehension. There are more important things in the world today than the coupons in the Sunday paper. The fight for humanity has shifted from spreading the word to being the word. We have to show those who are in need the mercy and unwavering strength that has been shown to us through God. He has a plan and a purpose for all. We are to heed his teachings and furnish the results that go unspoken. God will provide for you what you need to accomplish your goals, and ultimately His. I love the phrase if God brings you to it, God will bring you through it. He knows what he is doing and the sooner that you listen and open your heart to his word; the sooner you will reach your purpose. Just imagine.

Wonder Volume VII

God will talk to you if you are willing to listen. He hastens a move or a change in you life when you most need it. When all seems wrong around you, know that it is. That is the first step towards knowing that you should stop, listen, then act upon what God is calling you to do. Whether that be a change of church, or lack there of, a health decision, a relationship change. He will guide you in the direction you need to go if you will listen and above all, trust. I will again reiterate the familiar personal choice option. Our life is what we choose for it to be. It isn’t all that hard to hear what He tells you. If at any time you are unsure or feel that what is isn’t right, it’s not. He will then open the complicated layers of our subconscious and plainly tell you what it is that you already know, but have failed to put into motion for one excuse or another. Remember that ‘Dare to be Great’ jar sitting dusty on the shelf? Take a good hard look. Try something new. Open the jar and let all of the dust fall to the floor, as will your burdens and hardships. Just because you took a chance and broke the monotony of personal choice. Look at everything around you and know with out a doubt that it is God given and you have a duty to take care of it not only for yourself, but because you owe that to the One who gave it to you. “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.

Wonder Volume VI

I sat in my car at a red light one muggy afternoon watching one after another as people passed by in their cars. It hit me as each drove by that I made a 5 second judgment about them telling myself, ‘Oh she looks sweet. He’s nice. They look like good people.’ I did that at least 6 or 7 times before I realized two things. First to be subconsciously making assumptions about someone I have never met, nor will the chances that I will see them again be likely. But to also realize that we all tell ourselves there isn’t hardly any good people out there these days, when in all reality the good of people is definitely out there and waiting to be noticed and validated. We have built ourselves this nice little catch 22 world that keeps circling as Satan sets in motion another spin on this merry-go-round we are riding. I get tired of the stories and the news telling all the bad because “that’s what sells”. Well tell me do we remember the good? I don’t take one day for granted, because tomorrow might be the last. So cliché I know, but don’t I keep saying that? Why is all the goodness in the world cliché, or hush-hush? I will give you three guesses but you will only need one. It’s like the chess pieces in the game between good and evil. I toil and grieve for all the people who got washed up in the tsunami and lost their lives. They have done nothing to deserve such an unspeakable ending. I ask why a lot when it seems that all the good of the world is dying. I recently received an answer. “I my self will search for my sheep and look after them. As a Shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” Ezekiel 34:11–12. He is gathering His flock to prepare them for the final move of the game. I feel much better when He whispers that in my ear, and I remember the people passing by wanting to say, thank you for being such a wonderful and bright soul. Lets rally together and knock down the pawns of the opposing team and shout with glory and triumph…Check Mate.

Wonder Volume V

What are we to do for ourselves in this world? We take all that is given, some give back and others just take. So ask your self this question. What have I done to improve the quality of life in this world through myself, or through others? Do you have an answer? I certainly hope so. The greatest gift to ourselves is to nurture our souls with the gift and presence of God. Fill your life in every aspect with His giving hand. He needs you to cherish the things He has given you, in order to keep the feeling of love and hope alive. Not only in our hearts, but also through that we give light for those who need to see it. We give into the pessimistic sacrifices of our day to day lives that seem to drag on into what seems to be weeks that roll into years of if only’s, and I should of’s. What has you running in circles that broods your anger at the mere mention of why it hasn’t gone away, or why you have to deal with it at all? Doesn’t God love me and want the best for me? That rings in His ears. We are all comparable to the child never understanding the phrase ‘I’m only doing what’s best for you’ passing through the lips of their aspirant parents. Some of us as parents, don’t we know the answer to that one? Because knowing what lies in their future, and wanting more than to have air in our own lungs for them heed our guidance, we usher them to do what they don’t want to. It definitely brings face to the label “Children of God” doesn’t it? Do we forget that He sees all, knows all, and is our ultimate Father? Remember going forth that when we don’t understand, and don’t feel righted by all the wrongs of this lonely wicked world, that at the other end of the line is the truest of true, the most humble of infinite love, our one and only…Trinity. Give thanks for what He gives you. Ask Him when you need answers. Live the light through your soul. Bless the weak with your words. And above all, remember that the root choice is to trust at all times that God is with you and will give you what you most need.

Wonder Volume IV

I think that the lives of all the people around us are beginning to sound like a record of the same annoying song playing over and over again. The same excuses, the same stories, the same conversations being held for lack of nothing better to say. I am beginning to see a pattern in this world that is hopefully leading to the end of the monotonous life we live. I am so ready to find a reason for being here. We have seen all there is to see and the only thing left is to fight for the good. It is so hard on a daily basis to play the same games over and over and never winning. Waffling back and forth between a decisive yes and a discouraging no keeps us in constant procrastination. These are the options we hold ourselves to when we stop trusting in the one person that has the answers to all the things we cannot find one for. I have to take another wonderful quote from Brennan Manning when he said “The untruthful idea that salvation is reserved solely for the proper and pious, the nameless fear that we are predestined to backslide, the brooding pessimism that the good news of God’s love is simply wishful thinking—all these combine to weave a thin membrane of distrust that keeps us in a chronic state of anxiety.” Wow what a mouthful! God is loving us, you and me, this moment just as we are and not as we should be. Take what you feel about the people you love, multiply that by infinity, and you will have a hint of the love God owns for all of us. Why not trust in something that is so much bigger than our own thoughts and biggest dreams? Don’t you know He has it all planned out no matter what kind of car we drive, no matter who the Commander in Chief is, no matter where we are financially. God knows everything in our heart good and bad. He wants badly for you to run to Him crying, desolate, and powerless. He needs to know that you trust in Him to make things right for you. And why shouldn’t He? You are a child of God. Being a victim in this world is a viable option since the children of God are the nerds of the world class, but isn’t that right where Satan would have you? Stand strong in what you know is the truth. Turn on the song that at the pivotal point in the chorus you are the happiest and most vulnerable, and know that the pure feeling you are experiencing is a gift from God. He is reminding you that all is well and that where ever you are in your life right now is right where you need to be to open your eyes to your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether that be a thankful hallelujah, or a where are you? It is time to raise your hands to the almighty and let Him do his handy work. One word sums up all of the uncertainty, and questioning that you have inside you right now. Trust

Wonder Volume III

The Christian rock band Switchfoot said it best when they belted out the lyrics ‘This is your life, are you who you want to be?’. It makes you stop and think. Is what I’m doing the very thing that makes me happy, and fulfilled? We go day to day doing the corporate thing, not taking a breath of air to glorify what beautiful things God has given us. We do not listen to the voice in the back of our head leading us to the awaiting happiness tailor made to fit each of us. Brennan Manning stated in his book Ruthless Trust, that the reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise. In order to grow in trust, we must allow God to see us and love us precisely as we are. We put up a front for all to see and hope that they buy the smoke screen we have disguised ourselves in so we do not have to be who we are afraid to be. Even though it would glorify God in every way, we refuse, do to the tangled web we have caught ourselves in called fashion, trend, what’s ‘in’, & what others might say. Step out of the shell we call normal and be the brilliant person God has intended you to be. He has given you a voice to do and say what you want. He has also given the children of God the pure of heart to use their strength, and valor to change the world one person at a time. I know we have all heard those worn out phrases all of our lives, and that in itself makes me sad. It has lost all meaning and effectiveness to do and touch people in the way it was meant for. But if you stop and soak in the simple meaning of those very phrases you will find yourself knelt down in tears offering up your help and assistance to the true and mighty of the lost world. It is still out there and is being muted by politics, commercials, video games, evangelists, new broadcasts trying to get the story, and all of the people chanting about things that in all reality have no meaning and depth. Look beside you and hold the hand of the invisible angel God has sent to guide you and protect you. Listen and trust, live and learn. But most of all make the effort to change and listen to what God so desperately wants you to know….that He is the Beginning the End and everything in between. Make the mark in your own life that will shine through to the people who need to see it most. Do it, for to live without risk is to risk not living.

Wonder Volume II

So you’re broken. Your soul is tired and your mind is barren. Fulfill your self with things that are going to give you peace, energy, clarity, strength. Cry when you see something that deserves tears. Laugh when something needs laughter. Bring sunshine into the darkness of the selfish, uncontrolled, and bitter. We are to do what others won’t. It is our job to brighten the lives of those whose life is dim, and share what we have inside that makes us good. They have so little hope that they cling to day to day. Look deep and you will see the vibrant luster inside yourself that is hope. If we keep it to ourselves, who are we? Do we decide who deserves love, and who does not? Shame on us. Find the fire in your soul that would ignite a lost soul and share what God has given you. Forget who’s looking, or what they might think. Close your eyes and feel the desire that He has given you. Run with the magical winds of change and touch someone who needs to be touched. Never hold back. We have so much, and we can help the less fortunate to find what ultimately makes them happy. A relationship with God. Have you ever been so resplendent with love and brimming with compassion that you can’t help but laugh and smile? That is the tickle of the angels above reminding you that life is basking with simplicity and hope. Take heed to the cue and spread like fire. I’m not saying go ride around on a bike passing out bibles and wearing a sign noting how God is the lot of the world. Just touch at least one person needing the sweet surrender of God’s hand with a smile, a hand shake, a ‘have a good day’, a kiss on the cheek, a warm embrace. The reason this world is so driven on rage, rushing with the relentless need to be ahead of the game, is because Satan has it finely placed between his fingers, and is trying to squeeze every last drop of hope and love that we have to share. Don’t be erroneous to the fact that Satan can manipulate the children of God just as much. That is how he wins. He will snuff out the light of every person meant to fight for Heaven. We still have freedom of choice and that is his playground. Something he can destroy if we give into the anger of someone cutting you off, or cursing Taco Bell for putting onions on your burrito every time you tell them not to (Every time!! Come on! Hee-hee!). It is the tired feeling we have at the end of every hard day’s work. We have to rally and stand firm even when we are alone. Remember, we are soldiers of the Awesome, and we do get a chance to come back to the earth that will be torn and tattered, backed with fire and rule to destroy all who oppose. Victorious, we will ride off to be warriors of the finest Calvary know to man. Start putting your armor on now, and fight the unseen day to day with everything you do. It’s cliché, but love will conquer all.