Two Ways to Live Your Life

There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
~Albert Einstein

Strung out, Stressed out

John 11:40
Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (NIV)


I don't know about you, but for me life definitely has it's ups and downs. Sometimes things go well and the stress level in my life is relatively low. Then there are other times when the stress level peaks so high I feel I can't bear up under it. It can eat away at me until I feel like little more than a shell of a woman. What am I supposed to do when things seem out of my control and seem to be negative, detrimental and destructive? What do I do when I have tried everything to no avail?

Well, I know the answer, but doing it is another matter. The answer is simply to believe. If I can keep my eyes on God and take them off of the circumstances, I know that will change everything. I can believe that God is somehow working these difficulties for my good, that God is bigger than any circumstance. I can believe that God has a special purpose for me and choose to ignore the enemy's lies that say I am nothing, insignificant. I can choose to believe that even though everyone may break his promise or let me down, God NEVER will. God is faithful and can turn things around. I can even believe that even if nothing changes on the outside, God can change me on the inside and give me what I need to go on. That will make all the difference.

In The Potters Hand - Hillsong (HQ sound)

This song perfectly illustrates my post for today so please worship the Lord with me.

In the Potter's Hand

Jeremiah 18:1-6 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (NIV)

I saw this scripture in the devotional book I read today and thought of just how good God is. First of all, we didn't get to go to the church service this Sunday because the Royal Ranger camping trip hurt Darin's back. Well, I noticed that Pastor preached on this very subject, and since God didn't want me left out, He provided the lesson to me another way. Wow God loves us so much!

Well, in college I took 2 pottery classes and LOVED them. If I could have a potter's wheel and kiln I would work on that wheel every chance I could get. I wasn't that good at it but I loved working with that clay.

The first thing I think about with working with clay is that the clay has to be prepared properly before putting it on the wheel. I had to knead the clay, over and over until the air bubbles and hard chunks were removed. If it isn't kneaded properly there would be disastrous results. First of all if there are hard chunks in the clay it will hurt your hand when turning the clay, Also, the chunks get in the way, preventing you from being able to form the clay into a beautiful form. Now if air bubbles are not removed it doesn't get in the way while you are forming the pot necessarily, in fact you may never notice them. BUT when the pot is fired in the high temperature kiln, the pot may explode because of the air bubbles.

So today as I think about God, our potter, I am thinking of how He has to get me ready for the potter's wheel before He can shape me the way He desires. That is love because If I yield to Him he will prevent me from "exploding" in the refining fire and He will also not run into blockages when He is forming me. If only I can open my eyes and see His hand at work I would not whine so much during trials and hard times.


Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Audience of One

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)

Anyone serving God in any capacity really needs to sit down periodically and ask themselves if they are really serving God or man. Am I seeking to uplift myself and look good to others or am I seeking to do God's will? Recent events have challenged me in this area and I tell you what, it is really humbling to have to totally submit yourself to God's scrutiny. To be able to let go of something you love to do, however can be hard until you realize that if that thing or ministry or person is really in God's hands then there is nothing to worry about. I had to realize that if I was holding on too tightly or not wanting to let go, that meant that it was all about me, not about God. So when we are called to do something for God we all need to work at it with all our hearts, seeking to please God not man.

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (NIV)

Also, to take it to the next level, we are first accountable to God then the people in authority over us. I am learning to take this even one more step further. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. But the next scripture encourages us not to pass judgment on each other, to make a decision not to put a stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Well, what I am learning is that our leaders are not only human like us, but because they are accountable to God first, I need to leave them in God's hands and trust that God is in control no matter what. Our leaders will make mistakes, but they will also lead us in God's perfect plan, taking us into deeper spiritual truths. God will deal with them to both reward them and to help them through their mistakes just as He will with me. We are all one body and satan is looking hard for ways to separate us in any way he can. We all have to be so careful and be willing to tell each other that we are letting satan get his toe in the door so that he can all shut those doors and not allow any victories for satan.

Romans 14:12-13 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. (NIV)

Christmas Where, When & Why

Last night we had our second rehearsal for the children's Christmas musical and I have to tell you we are having fun! I can't wait for all of you to get to see this! These kids are talented and are excited to be used by God. After we are finished rehearsing a scene they always beg to do it again instead of complaining that we have to do it again! They also contribute great ideas as to how to move on stage and things like that. God really has blessed me with great children to work with, and faithful parents who are willing to bring the kids out Sunday night after Sunday night. They bring them on time and pick them up on time. God also blessed me with the most encouraging and loving husband who comes out just to support me! God bless each and every one of you!

Since I have teased your interest I will tell you that this play is set in a Christmas tree farm run by a lovable country family. You will laugh and you will be deeply touched and I pray that you will grow closer to the Lord as a result of watching this musical. If you have any unsaved friends I would encourage you to bring them to this musical as we are praying for them to come to the Lord at each and every practice.