Influence

Back in more youthful days, I coached my daughters' peewee football cheerleader squad. I made up a cute little cheer perfect for the eight girls on the squad. We did the same cheer for about two years, then moved on as young families do. It was a great surprise several years later, while attending a homecoming at the local high school, I saw "my" cheer being performed by the varsity squad.  The eight girls I had taught had long since graduated, yet the cheer lived on.  I was blessed to see goodness come of a small gesture, but I wonder how often I lost patience, made a rude comment, or any other number of things I may have done in front of those little girls. Had these actions had the same lasting effect as the little good? As we go throughout our day today, let us ask God to guide our actions so that our influence on those around us will glorify His Holy Name.

God, who has saved His whole people, conferring heritage, kingdom, priesthood, and sanctification on all of us, as He has promised in the Law, will surely, as our hope is in Him, be swift to show us mercy and gather us together from everywhere under heaven to the holy place, since he has rescued us from great evils and has purified it.  2 Maccabees 2:17-18

March 30, 2017 - Miracle

Photo by Brittanie Kinch, Curator

There is nothing more profound than that moment in your search for the meaning of life, when you realize that “you” are the miracle.

 

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14

March 22, 2017 - Rest

Did you know your body can go longer without food than it can without rest? A mind deprived of sleep is not as sharp. One cannot think clearly or process answers readily. We think on the surface, too tired for deep contemplation. When we are exhausted or fatigued, Satan becomes alert. He sees us grow weary in our routine and prods us with thoughts of monotony and tedium, standing ready to attack. It is our duty to seek the rest we need, physically and spiritually. Make the time to withdraw from the day to day, if only for a moment. Stepping away to spend time with your Heavenly Father will quiet your mind, refresh your spirit, and replenish your soul.

 

So they went off in the boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. - Mark 6:32

March 21, 2017 - Wow

Base of the Wrigley Memorial

at Catalina Islands

There are moments in everyone's life when God shares a little bit more of Himself with us.  Those times when we actually "get it".  The moments when something happens so out of the norm, that it is unexplained by anything else but the hand of God. In these wow moments are our mountains.  We stand high and awed, totally enamored with life.  But, the reality is, we must come down from this mountain.  We must take the strength, the peace, the renewed sense of joy, and make the journey back down into the valley.  We have work to do.  God's kingdom needs built and more mountains need conquered.  When you find yourself in that valley, remember the mountain, don't just stand gazing at it, wishing you were on top again.  Roll up your sleeves.  Pick up your tools and start the climb.  And make certain, that you grab a friend or two to make the journey with you.

Be vigilant, stay firm in the faith, be brave and strong.  Let everything you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:13,14

March 19, 2017 - Disappointment

When someone disappoints you, remember, we have a great God holding all of us, including the one who caused us pain. Remembering to keep the situation His and not our own brings strength to stay focused on goodness and not allow evil to rule. In Him, we respond in the correct Spirit, anger subsides, and we turn from pain to joy. Without Him, disappointment can turn to tragedy. Let us strive for forgiveness and harmony and pray that we all may rest in God's mercy.

Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. – Luke 6:36-37

March 18, 2017 - Broadminded

One Mile Water Station

Steps for Students 2016

Thanks to those who showed us

how to do it!

When we limit our thinking to our own ideas, we often miss the mark.  A grumble, complaint, or merely a suggestion from another can be misconstrued as a direct hit against our selves. By stepping back and looking at the big picture, we more readily see the situation from the other's eyes.  Knowing the whole truth and acting with the compassion and discretion of God's Holy Spirit, we can all work together to bring goodness to every moment.

So Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that among the gentiles those they call their rulers, lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt.  Among you this is not to happen. No, anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.' - Mark 10:42-44

March 16, 2017 - Regret

Regret is so hard to swallow. It interferes with sleep, confidence, and trust. But how do you bring it under control, especially when you have hurt another’s feeling through trying to do the right thing? Hindsight says, “You should have covered your words with prayer”. True; and the reality is, it is never too late to seek God’s intervention. He Is, He Was, and He Will Be. God was present when you spoke and He is holding the moment now. Take your cares to God's altar. Ask your Lord to cover your words with His love and soften the hearts of all concerned. Seek forgiveness for yourself and pray for those involved. Let Him open the door of reconciliation and be prepared to give yourself to His bidding. He will guide and keep you through it all.

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10

March 15, 2017 - Transparent

Look at the shadow cast by the bird.

Do you see the angel?

Not shown in this cropping is my

daughter who has just emerged

from her 4 day hike of the

Grand Canyon. Her patron saint

is St. Michael the Archangel.

Who do people see when they see you? A genuine person, of whom there is no duplicity; or are you hiding your true feelings, sometimes so well you even hide them from yourself? Our culture teaches us to please those around us. We struggle to prove ourselves to family, co-workers, and friends. So much of our day is given in order to live up to other’s expectations. Yet, when you place yourself before God in contrite prayer, He becomes the strength that inspires you to be yourself. It sometimes takes time, but once you trust the contentment He brings, you will give joyful thanks for the “you” He has created and relish a day of personal achievements accomplished for the Glory of God.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;- Philippians 1:9-10

March 12, 2017 – Impossible

Because of Christ, even the impossible can happen. In Isaiah, 49:8-15, God sings in triumph for His Son's passion. Because of Jesus, even people from the most unlikely walks of life will be saved. Our God, Himself, sings of Syene, the place in Egypt where God's fallen people sculpted false gods and goddesses from the syenite rocks to later become the site of the largest Christian church in Egypt. "People will come from near and far, east and west and even Syene." He rejoiced that those from a cursed and forgotten land would now be able to come back to Him. When life seems impossible, remember that our God still sings. Raise your voice to join Him and have faith that He will prevail.

Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. - Isaiah 49:1

March 9, 2017 - Centered

Some days there are so many distractions in my day that it is hard to focus on the task at hand. It seems as if noise attracts noise, and soon all I hear is just the noise and not the purpose. This is the time I like to step back and evaluate myself. Am I reacting as Christ would? Is there something to learn from the interruption? How can I apply the interruption to my day? When I take the time to center myself with the Holy Spirit, I can more readily sort and prioritize my tasks. In keeping my focus on Christ, I will set myself up for success.

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.' – Jeremiah 7:23

March 8, 2017 - Freedom

We will never be truly satisfied until we yearn to be like God. Until we think with His mind, help with His hands, and love with His heart, we cannot be complete. Surrender to God and discover a life of freedom.

You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. – Psalm 31:4

March 4, 2017 - Joy

Life can seem hard and unfair, but the reality is that within every tough time you spend lies a measure of joy. God’s presence never waivers. He is always by your side holding onto the moment.  Let the joy of faith and hope prevail. Cling to your God and find peace.

Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. - James 4:10

March 3, 2017 - Waiting

Our automatic world provides us with instant results. We come to rely on information at our fingertips, travel at jet speed, fast food, and quick turnarounds. In our busy lIfestyles, these can be true time savers. But what happens when the gridlock of life often sneaks in and catches us unaware? When forward motion comes to a crawl, we grumble or blame. Panic or depression often sets in.  But the truth is, God is and has always been in control. He knew this moment before it happened and is already holding you at the end. Place your moment in His hands. Waiting on God will bring you the peace to fully discern where He is leading you, the faith to know He is in control, and the courage to move ahead in confidence and hope.

Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered. – 2 Corinthians 31:21

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - Repentance

Sometimes I know I'm headed into the wrong direction, but I still allow my pride to take me there. The thought that others will think I'm a failure or, worse, taunt me with 'I told you so’s' becomes more prevalent in my mind than the fact that I am on a path of demise. Yet, Our God Creator of all Mankind repented of the evil He had threatened to do to Nineveh when He saw the pain and sorrow of His people. If God’s compassion can set us on a different course, can we not swallow our own pride and follow Him?

 

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. – Jonah 3:10

Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - Stand

We should never use God as a platform for our cause. Rather, our cause should use God to justify its existence. Never stand on Him suppressing His Way, but step within Him and allow His Spirit to penetrate your very soul. With this, your spoken words will find Truth and your life will be glorified.

And you reject the word of God for the traditions that you deliver, and many things like these you do.” - Mark 7:13

Monday, February 11, 2013 - Actions

Yes, we know God can, but are we truly worthy enough that He would want to? If He wants to, is it right for Him to intervene? Would helping me hurt someone else? Am I more loved because he spared me and not another? Questions abound that can make our faith very shaky. And as long as we brood on these questions, we will never have an answer. Actions speak louder than words. When we find ourselves questioning God's motives, stop, for in all probability, we will never find the answers while we are still on this earth. What we must do is keep moving forward in faith. Place your thoughts into actions and become His hands to help another, His heart to love each other, and His voice to speak for another. When times are hard, we can be there in His compassion and hope. When we put our thoughts into action, we will find our answers. - Becki


They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed - Matthew 14:36

Friday, February 8, 2013 - Self Knowledge

My mother used to say, "Be careful what you ask for.  It just may come true." Many times temptation enters into a split second decision. Pressure to act immediately may very well send us down a wrong path. For a person of prayer, these moments are less frightening when they occur. Walking closely with our Lord, makes us receptive to His discernment and our decisions become a whole lot easier. Facing a choice is so much easier with a clean heart and clear conscience.

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." - Psalm 27:8

Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Whine

I catch myself doing this a lot: whining. It is not very flattering. I become annoyed listening to it in another. I've tried to justify this by saying, "I'm just stating an 'awe' moment. I'm amazed that I have the endurance to get through this." But, the truth be known, I'm whining. God places every moment in our lives for us to enjoy. Let me repeat that. We are to enjoy every moment. I've buried loved ones, endured great sickness, watched my children hurt. How can I enjoy that? Merriam-Webster defines enjoy as "to have for one's use, benefit, or lot". Dictionary.com states "to experience with joy". Our loving God surrounds us with His Grace. It is up to us to open our hearts and minds to find Him in the moment. God is our only source of joy. This truth just becomes more apparent in our pain and despair.  

 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire. – Hebrews 12:28-29

Thursday, January 31, 2013 - Commit

It isn't much fun to sit back and watch everyone else having a good time, especially when our day is filled with commitments that we cannot break, plans that cannot be altered, and other things that interfere.  However, we must realize that God never intended for us to do everything. The world is made up of many people and all of these people cannot possibly, and should not, be in the same place.  So when commitments beyond your control keep you from stepping out, remember you are God's chosen and place yourself completely in the moment. True joy comes when you realize you are exactly where you are suppose to be. - Becki

Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. - Proverbs 16:3

Friday, January 25, 2013 - Personality

One of the harder things a parent faces is that of molding a child's personality. God created the determined and tenacious character and has plans for this child who tests his boundaries and rolls his eyes at Mom. This child will be the advocate for the suffering and the helpless in only a few short years. How do you form this young spirit for the Glory of God? We must pick our battles. The greatest war is not with us. Teaching your child yes, it is good to stand up for what you believe, but to do so with respect sets them on a path that searches for truth in every law. – Becki

 

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel.” - Acts, 9:15