The Gift of Song

Isaiah 40:30-31

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 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.

This scripture is a life preserver, a buoy to hold onto as the seas of this life break over the bow. "Those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength" I can personally testify to that this week. I was down a few days then uplifted at weeks end. God spoke to me thru song late Friday night on a subway platform confirming for me all is right. Be blessed with ears to hear and I pray we all soar on wings like eagles.

Fighting with Yourself

MJames 1:13-15

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

What is your stronghold ? Power? Money? Possessions? Sexual lust ? Everyone struggles with something, yes, everyone. There are times when the enemy gets in your head and you just go ahead and give in and feast on your sin. Afterwards, the shame and guilt are overwhelming. For me the separation that I feel from the Father is just devastating. So then I find myself at a crossroads. 2 choices, wallow in that sin , think well I already messed up may as well keep going, or you hit your knees and confess your sin and beg for forgiveness from God almighty. Personally when I find I am being tempted , I focus on the aftermath of the sin, the disconnection and guilt. Most times it helps me overcome and when I do I fhank God for giving me strength. When it doesn't it's because I am a weak sinner trying to be strong on my own. Reaching out to a trusted brother always helps when in a struggle as well. Point is we need connection to God and others to stay our paths. Always.God bless

Running to Your Father

James 4:8

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

What a great verse of scripture, a very basic point about our relationship with God. Question, when you started dating your wife or girlfriend did you ignore her to show her you were interested in knowing her? Heck no, I bet most of us went flowers, dinners, dancing, everything imaginable to show this woman you loved her. 

Do you do the same with God? Do you take the time everyday to say Thank you? To say I love you? Do you strive to stay in your lane on the path? If we want to grow closer to God, we need to run to him everyday. I remember how as a child I would run to my Dad every night when he came home from work . We should still be running to our Heavenly Father everyday with that love .

The Important Things........

 Proverbs 3:1-3

3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them  on the tablet of your heart.

After a weekend of family functions, Mothers Day and a morning with Church family. It's quite clear what matters most in our lives. God and family, period. 

The Most Important Job Ever

 Proverbs 22:6

6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Parents definitely set our courses in life, and I know how blessed my life was because of them. When I was a child my dad travelled a lot for business. My mom held it all down, 4 kids and both grandmothers to care for. She never once took the easy way out if things. Waited up for us to get in, making sure we ran with the right crowd, and taking care of us selflessly. I love you Mom, my fondest memories in life were us having a cup of tea and cookies after school talking about my day. You blessed us all, you and Dad made us who we are today. God bless you Margie.

A Happy Accident

 Psalm 100:4

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

It's been a week of learning and growth , scales falling from my eyes. Yesterday afternoon my youngest son Brendan was in his car and got plowed into by a pickup truck. Hit directly in his driver side door at a good rate of speed, Brendan and Marissa got out unscathed. I know the Father protected my son. A car door will be fixed and my son is ok, praise God.

An Ill Fitting Robe

  Zechariah 7:11-12

11 “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. 12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

Guilty. Covered my ears, made mine a heart of stone, closed my mind. I wore my hurt, anger like a long bathrobe all wrapped up and warm in being a bull headed right fighter. Turned sour and bitter I felt like I wanted to take my ball and go home. Funny thing happened, one of my closest brothers asked me when was I getting my sense of humor back. I then unpacked some feelings to him. I also realized that our lives are about serving others not our own needs. The light went off, I feel like my heart is beating again. My viewpoint and perspective have been refocused. My eyes are fixed on the cross, not on the one looking back in the mirror.