Blog Archives - The Remarkable Blog

I'll cast and reel in, but I'm not touching the hook. Talking about "Reel life."

8/31/2018

One lady at our church was celebrating another year of life, so a lunch was planned I made the invitation list. It was so much fun. We laughed. We ate. We shared stories. I quoted scriptures. If you want me to meet you for all of those things I will, but I will be quoting some scriptures. Those scriptures may make you laugh, and this day they did!

One of the ladies at the table is looking to purchase a new home. She was showing us the photos of the home, and mentioned a pond on the property, that the owner stocked. So, we started talking about going fishing. Yes, we were all ladies talking about fishing. She was a country girl, and didn't mind baiting the hook, and using pliers to remove the hook from the fishes mouth, as long as she was wearing gloves. I on the other hand, wasn't about to bait or remove anything I caught. I promised I'd cast and reel in, cast and reel in, all day, but I would need her to put my bait, and take off anything I caught. She replied, "Then I'm doing all the work!" My comment was, "Well, one sows, another waters, and someone else reaps..." We all burst into laughter and decided I need a "Paw Patrol fishing pole with the little red plastic fish on the end." I agreed. I could cast and reel in all day, and say, "I caught a fish every time without ever getting my hands dirty."

This is what most Christians want to use to build the Kingdom and catch the lost. They want a prefab method of certain success. Most don't want to get their hands dirty. They want to just relax, never get up from what they enjoy, and catch fish. In "Reel life" it doesn't work that way. Jesus said, "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men..." Catching men is a result of following Jesus. When Jesus said, "Come follow me", He meant come watch, see and do. Come watch me, then I will watch you, and then I will tweak you, so you can do it again.

Saving the lost is to just for the few. Winning the lost is for all of us. We have got to get up and get our hands dirty.

Action Step: Seek the Lord today. Ask Him what the fish are biting on today? Go ahead and put the bait on the hook. I know some bait is harder to pierce than others. Real worms get all hard, and yucky stuff oozes out of them, but that is nothing compared to what they did to Jesus, and what poured out of Him. There is a cost to winning souls. Jesus paid the ultimate price, but we still need to move past our comfort zones, and get our hands dirty. Lord, help us to win the lost.

Donkey rides and Honeymoons.

8/30/2018

Oswald Chambers said, “To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not.”

Imagine God giving you a word and you immediately acting upon it. You begin to see how big the word really is. What do you do? Most quit. Few forge ahead. Go ahead. Think about it for a moment. Put yourself in Joseph and Mary's situation for just a moment. Pregnant. Pay taxes, after riding donkey pregnant for miles. Give birth in a stable. Run for the life of your child to Egypt.

I believe you have the picture. But, let me add another scene to this freeze frame. Wisemen bring you Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gifts from wise men provide for next few years. No one has to work. Mom and Dad both get to stay home and play with baby. Newlyweds finally get their all expense paid honeymoon.

Perhaps you and I just don't know the end of the story yet? Keep the faith. We are learning better how to trust God in the hard times. The longer we know Him, the more confident we are in the wait...But no one ever said it would be easy. After all, when was the last time you rode a donkey pregnant?

Action Step: Trust God for wings! I remember an old movie called, "It's a Wonderful Life". In the movie George Baily has it hard, and then things get harder. In the middle of the movie an angel comes to show George how life would be without him in it. Then, the angel says, "See George, you had a wonderful life."

Look over your life today. Look at all your donkey rides, but don't stop there. Look at all your honeymoons Christ paid for. I think it may very well be, that you agree with the angel..."You had a wonderful life!"

Trusting God in a hard place

8/29/2018

To serve God realistically, we must learn to work with people.

It’s easy to be idealistic about serving God until you meet the actual people that you have to work with! Suddenly you realize the truth that Linus shouted, “I love mankind; its people I can’t stand!” Nehemiah was sensitive to people and he responded with tact. But when needed, he confronted with uncompromising strength.

See when we have compassion it is a springboard to obeying God. Then we learn to cooperate with God--we begin to have confidence in God which comes from our cooperating with Him, praying to Him and speaking to Him, listening to Him communicate with us and we develop courage which develops from refusing to compromise and having a conviction that you know that you know God is going to see you through. He will answer that prayer, take care of that Boss, and watch over those children, all while you are dealing with people.

When you work with people you have to trust God. Fear will fight us but our faith must be greater than our fear. When you trust there is no fear! In the bestselling book called, “Who Moved My Cheese,” the author asks a very penetrating question, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid.” He points out that fear often keeps us from taking the steps we know we need to take. Fear can paralyze us.

Fortunately, Nehemiah’s faith was greater than his fear. How about you? Who do you put your trust in? To trust someone you must really know them and to know them you must spend time with them. Today spend some time with Jesus. Get to know Him a little bit better and you will see your trust level rise.

Commitment #4~Living a life that identifies your beliefs.

8/28/2018

Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you no one would believe it.
-Unknown
You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.
– Henry Ford
It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.
– Will Rogers
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
– Mother Teresa
The end result of kindness is that it draws people to you.
– Anita Roddick
Be it resolved…trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
– Golda Meir
Speak when you’re angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
– Ambrose Bierce
Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
- Mark Twain

"If you want to be an encouragement to others, sometimes you’ve got to let them know that you stand up for them, you defend them, and you’re not going to allow others to tear them down." Deb Sofield

"It sounds like Jr. High all over again, but because everyone is so sensitive nowadays, sometimes we need to come out swinging to protect those we love and care for. And we need to keep working on our reputation, so if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it." Deb Sofield

Here are 12 rules for keeping your life in line with your values:

Tell the truth
Keep your word
Pay your debts
Be loyal
Show compassion
Put your family first (even the ones you don’t like)
Make right things that are broken
Give credit where credit is due
Always do the right thing (even when no one is watching)
Be good and kind to others (including animals)
Read your Bible-then do what it says
Be present over perfect

ACTION STEP: Live your life today as if everyone were watching, because in reality they are.
Be brave. Hold yourself accountable and then accountability will be modeled for others.

Credit where credit is due: The inspiration for this article came by accident when surfing the net for quotes about living a life that identifies who we are. Please visit this link for more interesting and motivating resources. I totally enjoyed her writings and plan to visit her site often myself. I am glad we had the chance to meet via the net. http://debsofield.com/live-way-anyone-speak-badly-one-believe/

Commitment #3~Keeping your Word Part 2 Integrity.

8/27/2018

Your purpose makes your decisions.

A man's integrity should guide him. This scripture is for men, as well as man with womb, "woman". Our decision to follow God, and do what He has called us to do, is what should guide our every decision...not how we feel, not what others will think, but what God desires. When the world sees us, they should see integrity. Love is best shown in integrity. What would love do? Love would keep it's word, do right by others, be obedient, keep it's word to it's own hurt, just to name a few.

Perhaps it is better said in this image:

Action Step: Make a list of values that you refuse to compromise. Ask yourself what is it that guides my decisions? Is it money, sex, power? Those are the big three that usually take people out. These are the three that Satan has used since the beginning of time. Decide today, "I refuse to be used of the devil!" Then, ask God, "Lord give me grace everyday to do what You desire me to do to reach my destiny."

Committment #2~Keeping your word.

8/24/2018

My word is who I am. If my word is no good, then I'm not good. Keeping our word to our own hurt is what Jesus did. He kept His word to His own hurt. When others see that we keep our word, it is a way of letting them see Jesus. Is it easy? No. Keeping our word many times cost us. I made a commitment to be somewhere this weekend. My brother and sister-in-law flew in from Florida. I love them. I wanted to stay home and visit with them. Then my youngest grandson had minor surgery and I kept my older grandson since 5AM. I desired to stay close to my daughter while she was tending to her youngest son. The point I am trying to make, is we all have things that come up, but we have to make the choice to keep our word.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the Lord your God, don’t avoid keeping it. The Lord your God expects you to keep it. You would be guilty of a sin if you didn’t. If you didn’t make a vow, you would not be guilty. Make sure you do what you said you would do in your vow. You freely chose to make your vow to the Lord your God.

Psalm 15:4 (Good News Translation) "They despise those whom God rejects, but honor those who obey the LORD. They always do what they promise, no matter how much it may cost."

ACTION STEP: Consider what you say your going to do, before you say it. Perhaps sleep on it. Regardless of your calling, position, title, family, occupations, etc., make it a point to keep your word. Be a role model for others. Let the world see that you choose to do what Jesus did. You keep your word to your own hurt.

Commitment ~#1 Sacrifice

8/23/2018

If we won't do what it takes to get something, then that something--is what we sacrificed and still didn't get what we wanted.

Action Step: Click on the link below. Do it now! Then listen to what they have to say. We have a great opportunity to change our course. Today is a new day! Praying for you to be all you can be.

https://michaelhyatt.com/when-goals-dont-cut-it-focus-on-obstacles/

Our children need us more than we know.

8/22/2018

Sometimes our kids are just not acting like our kids. With school starting, from Pre-School all the way through College sometimes we need to refresh ourselves on the facts! We are the parents. We are the responsible one. What we do and say matters. Our children will thank us someday, key word being someday.

My father use to say, "If I can just keep them alive until they are in their 20's the chance of loosing them goes way down." Perhaps thats not a very positive or appropriate way of saying it but never the less it is true. Kids need us to protect them and sometimes protect them from themselves. I am grateful for my Dad's protection. Your children will be too.

Action Step: Copy and paste the link below and watch the short video. Remember the sentence that he suggest asking your child. Do it now! Even if you don't have children of your own--do it for the knowledge to share with someone you love.

https://joshshipp.com/act-out/?inf_contact_key=356380b7a4c589421d3124fa3fd9ab45d93dbab5ed17f66ec18f4f17bbd7d55d

It's got to be there. I just can't see it. Let go and let God!

8/21/2018

Well, living in the country while my house is being remodeled has been a real experience. I have seen a mouse, a skunk, turkeys, and toads. However, a recent tree frog has taken the cake. This little slimy green guy that can stretch himself like a rubber band, has got me more than baffled. He literally slinkyed up the door, then jumped into the laundry room, and before I knew it he went behind the dryer. When my husband came home we moved everything, and still no tiny green frog. To this day we have not found him. I look for him everyday. It's been three days.

No doubt this little guy will show up when I least expect it, and terrify me once again. isn't this just like the devil. He shows up when no one is around to help you. Then, when someone comes to help, he hides. He slithers around in obvious hiding places, but when you are ready to get rid of him--you can't find him.

The devil knows that his days are numbered. The devil is deceived in thinking he knows better than God. He is wrong.

"A devil exposed is a devil defeated." Ryan LeStrange

The devil may tell you he is not leaving. The devil may hide. God however, has a way of exposing the hidden things. The devil can not hide forever.

Romans 12:21 - Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I have decided to leave the frog up to God. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God knows where that frog is. That little frog will show up, dead or alive; either way is okay with me. I will not give it anymore thought life. That little frog will not vex me, and put ideas in my head like, "Your going to reach into the washer and grab a dead frog," "Your going to get into bed and feel his slimy body," "He's going to be in one of your shoes." Nope! I am going on with my life.

Action Step: Repent of how the devil got in and drive on. Let God deal with the devil. God made him and God knows what to do with him. In the process, praise God for His goodness and greatness. Praise God for His protection. We have not been given a spirit of fear!

Is stepping across the line okay?

8/20/2018

We ended last week talking about mentors and mentees. Perhaps because that was on my mind, I payed greater attention to the children in my life and what I was modeling in front of them. The weekend lead me to community fairs, church food festivals, and our own church services, to name a few. With each new location came new opportunities.

Is stepping across the line okay if your under three feet tall? I thought so. Then, I noticed because I let the littlest of the family step across the line, all her brothers wanted to as well. The oldest one pushed the plate by putting the bottom of his cowboy boot on the back line, while moving as close to the table stacked with cans he was to knock over. Was I helping? Or teaching them rules don't matter? Rules only matter when you are under three feet tall? There are occasions when it is okay to break rules? Then who decides? What do you think?

2 Timothy 2:5 (LEB) "And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."

So, was I teaching these children or doing them harm? Was my "Mercy" motive overplaying my example I was to be teaching? I knew they never had a chance the way the game was set up. Fairs are supposed to be fun for children, not completion for adults. If I let them play and have fun, then learn to allow others to do the same, right? I can't call it yet on this one. I need some wise counsel.

Action Step: Please leave a reply to me about what you think, about giving kids and edge, even if it is breaking the rules? Sure, I should have made the rules different for different ages, but sometimes we are not in charge of the rules? Was there a lesson I was to learn? Did I miss something? What would have been a better model?

In life what do we do when rules don't seem to be fair? What is the Christian thing to do?