Looking For A Sign

In the counseling field it is very common to encounter many reasons as to why things are the way they are. You can be flooded with justifications for any and everything done wrong and going wrong. It can also be that same experience in everyday encounters with friends and family and fellow believers. I have heard many people say- I know what I should do but I'm waiting on God to tell me- I know it is the right thing to do but I'm waiting to hear from God- I know I should go but I'm waiting on God to move me. This may come as a surprise to someone waiting on a word from the prophet, God is speaking to us daily. God has already spoken .....

Did you hear that? There is your promise, there is your direction, there is your comfort, there is your guide, there is your hope! The Bible, the Holy Scriptures has it all. Please don't be caught with your work undone and your To Do list is collecting dust.
It is very easy to justify a wrong, but will you have the courage to do what you already know is right?

Love Y'all!!!

If That's What You Want

Don't worry about what you can't control. You may be able to influence the thoughts, actions and deeds of others but never will you control them. We were created with free will and designed to make our own choices. By the same token our consequences for our decisions are ours too. 

I am learning to leave people to their own devices. Some people don't want to be different or what you may see as better.  The desire to change starts from within each of  us.  If your surrounding situation has not changed  over time  and you are stlill stressing over the situation, may I encourage you to stop worrying about what you can't control  and control what you can. Your thoughts, your reactions, your  peace. 

Roman 1:28

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

If it seems as though you have been beating your hands and head against a brick wall, trying to show someone a better way and it's causing your more stress and pain than doing them any good,  give yourself a break. As heartbreaking as it can be sometimes, you can't continue to worry about what you can't control. 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can; 
and wisdom to know the difference.

Love y'all!!!

How Will You Make It?

I decided to try a new nail salon in the area for some pampering services. As I sat relaxing, the nail tech began a conversation when he noticed my wedding ring set.
Tech (Mr.Thomas)- How long have you been married?
Me- Just 13 months now.
Tech- Oh you are still honeymooning.
Me- Yep!! We sure are!
Tech- You know they say you have to make it 7 years before you can say you have made it.
Me- I can't focus on 7 years. I just have to make it through today.

He began to ponder what I said and responded- If only more people thought that way.

The reality is that we are not promised 7 more years. I thought about this when I read a post from a friend that is two weeks into the journey of being smoke free. How awesome!!!
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

The only way to make it is One Day At A Time. Every day you are given, focus on your goal for that day. I want a happy marriage TODAY. I want to remain clean TODAY. I want to be sober TODAY. Before you know it, many TODAYS will add up to many weeks, months and many years.
In the words of an old familiar song....
 One day at a time, sweet Jesus. That's all I'm asking of you. Give me the strength to do everything, that I have to do. Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine. Lord for my sake, help me to take....One Day At A Time.
Love Y'all to life!!! 

Resist Resist Resist

James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Please understand that he will flee but he's the devil, he's gonna try to come back again! Somebody will keep agitating and aggravating you. He or she will keep calling or texting after you have finally found the strength to say it is over.  Quick schemes will continue to present themselves. I believe in you. You believe in you. God believes in you! The devil is gonna keep trying you to prove you wrong.

Be  strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

It Is In Your Hands

I sat in earshot of my father talking to a young man as he revealed some trouble he had encountered. The nature of the trouble was seemingly repeated by the young man and this baffled my father. In his wisdom my father spoke very simple but true and powerful words- You know you can change anytime you want. He humbly answered....Yes Sir.
Often times in life, we make the poor choices repeatedly, forming bad habits and and begin to believe that is just who we are- that is just what we do. Even in counseling, we know, there is a large population of people that quit smoking, drinking and using illegal drugs just because they choose to. They never see a counselor, attend any meetings or take any medication assistance....they simply choose to change.

The Bible tells of a man possessed by a legion of demons. Jesus saw the man's desire to change. After an encounter with Jesus, the man was then seen clothed and in his right mind.
Mark 5:1-5
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
No matter how grim it seems, you can change. No matter what it is, you can change. Negative attitude, addiction, lying, cheating, stealing, immorality....you can change.
Rember the words of the wise...You know you can change any time you want.

Love Y'all to life!!!

DOUBLE DOUBLE VISION VISION

A few weeks ago I went to an optometrist after about three years of not having vison insurance coverage. I wasn't surprised to be told that I would require glasses because I was wearing glasses for computer use and night. What did surprise me was the revelation that I would need transition lenses or BIFOCALS!!! What a clear sign that I was getting older! I wasn't really overjoyed about it and no frames that I tried on seemed to be able to brighten the fact that I had to wear bifocals. The first day I wore my new glasses to class, I was amazed and how crisp and sharp the powerpoints displayed on the screen. I kept taking my glasses off and putting them back on to see the overwhelming difference. I THOUGHT I COULD SEE FINE!!! On the ride home, I continued to check my vision on road signs and objects in the distance. Still amazed by how poor my vision was and I had no idea.

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see

While walking in darkness, you don't see or feel that what you are doing is wrong. You can't see how blind you really are. It isn't until you find your way to the marvelous light that you realize that your thoughts, actions and deeds were wretched. It is only the presence of the light that exposes darkness. Looking back it is still amazing how right and justified I thought I was in my sin. Thank God for deliverance, grace and mercy! These are gifts that are available to all.
Love y'all to life!!!

Forgive.....

I frequently pass an area that often reminds me of a bad thing I did well over a decade ago. I was so haunted by my mistakes that every time I pass that area, I would whisper... Lord, Please forgive me. This action continued for several days until one day I heard a response.....I have already forgiven you, now forgive yourself. So often the enemy uses the past to keep us in bondage. We only need to understand that God casts our sins into the sea of forgetfulness for His own sake.

Luke 22:60-62
 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

God knows what we will do before we do it. He is still faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He knows our end from the beginning. There should be freedom in repentance. So accept forgiveness and forgive yourself.
Love Y'all!!!