Blog Archives - The Remarkable Blog

Bitter sweet and changing seasons.

9/30/2020

Ecclesiastics 7:8 NKJV
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

Things dying always makes me sad. I don't like it when my herbs and vegetables start to die off. I really get sad when the leaves fall off the trees, and the flowers fade away. It's as though the whole world is dying. I remind myself if the lush green trees stayed that way, I'd never see all the vibrant colors of Fall I love so much. I wouldn't get to crunch in to that sweet ear of corn, or Honeycrisp apple, if Fall were not here. Life comes bitter sweet.

I think Thanksgiving is appropriately named. We give thanks for what has been given to us. Maybe it wasn't the greatest of Summers. We had to keep our distance, wear a mask and most, if not all the things we were looking so forward to, were cancelled. But, we had the moments. We had the bitter and the sweet.

The truth of life--is that it is, bitter sweet. I thank God for the sweet resurrection, but--I want life without the bitter death of the cross. We can't have one without the other. We can't bring forth a child from the womb without the pain of childbirth.

ACTION STEP: As we step into a new month tomorrow, and leave behind the sweet summer days, remind yourself, I can't have it all. Only in Heaven, will we be able to have it all, and in order to get there--we have to let go of some sweet things today. Sweet things loose their flavor if we hold onto them to long. An apple or that leftover steak, are not good in a week. Let go of the pleasures of sin--they only last for a season. Seasons change.

Purpose

9/29/2020

Good morning RPM Daily Blog readers. Someone recently asked me, "What does RPM stand for?" Being the wife of a car salesman for over 30 years, I laughed--"Revolutions Per Minute" I said. "You wake up to RPM Daily and get your motor running." They thought for sure it was, "Rena Perozich Ministries." I don't even have a "Rena Perozich Ministries" I told them. We both laughed.

See the Blog was not my idea. Just like my "Fe-Mail" was not my idea. Being a Pastor was not my idea. Once I gave my life to Jesus Christ I no longer had "my ideas" I became a slave. I willingly laid down my life and agenda for His.

I decided that my only purpose in this world, is to do as He desires for me. He created me and He knows best what is my purpose.

I remember reading where Jesus stood up and read Isaiah 61 and then said, "today this word has been fulfilled..." It dawned on me that He found His purpose while reading the Word. I am convinced the only way to find your purpose is to read the Word of God--the Bible. I knew when I read the Old Testament I was called and created to be a Prophet. Before I knew the Word of God like I do I thought I was what people labeled me, what I was good at, what I liked to do. No, I am called to bring joy to the Lord. I had it all wrong. People would say I should sing. So I did. Sometimes it was great. Other times it was horrible. I'd cry. What was the difference? I asked God. God said, "I did not call you to be a singer but a minister of the Gospel and sometimes you will do that in song, other times when you are preaching or prophesying..." He, God continued to define my life's calling. I urge you to spend time talking to God.

ACTION STEP: Time is short. You will never be more surprised and fulfilled than when you are in your purpose. I was surprised RPM could stand for my name. It never occurred to me. It occurred to God. I don't have to spend time making decisions. I made one good one that takes care of all the rest. Obey God. Do what God tells you to do. That settles so many other issues in your life. Know this, we are all in this together. When you do your part--I can do my part better and visa versa. God said, we are a Body. Let's keep this Body moving in the right direction!

Brain Mail

9/28/2020

I am back! This picture was supposed to be up everyday I was gone. Guess I still have a lot to learn. But hey, I wanted to share it with you anyway. I guess it should read, "Vacation mood: off." I will remember that for next year.

I love owning a piece of real estate in Florida if only for a week. It gives me something to look forward to all year. The fact that my brother owns a week as well, is icing on the cake. It's always nice to see my Florida family.

Today, I want to share with you something to think about. Let's call it what, one of my favorite six year olds calls it--BRAIN MAIL.

Before I left for vacation, I asked one of my spiritual daughters to start collecting ideas for my Blog. She has three small daughters that are a joy to my life. Any one with children can relate to the things they come up with, and they come up with a lot. There are new materials that come forth daily from their amazing little, but mighty brains. So this one, is dedicated to the Brown's family's oldest daughter.

While sitting at the table she was asked to pray. Her response was, "I don't pray." Her mother asked her how she communicated to God? She said, "I just think of what I want to ask God and then I wait and He tells me. It's brain mail." As her mother and I laughed on the phone as she recalled the moment, I thought there is a lot of truth in that. Sometimes, we make things so religious, we loose the point. The point is we communicate with God, He communicates with us. It's not the "Thee's and Thou's," but the, "Him and me" that matters.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:21-22: "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Brain Mail is confident communication. A child's faith is pure, it asks without doubting. As adults we can send Brain Mail anytime we want, and God will send us mail back!

ACTION STEP: Got something on your mind today? Need an answer? With child like faith, talk to God. Tell Him what you want, need, or desire. Then, just wait. That's the hard part. But, wait for Him to send you your very own "Brain Mail." It really transcends the Brain because we know Spirit calls to spirit, deep calls out to deep. But, sometimes we feel far away from God. At times we are not sure about the condition of our spirit man. We may feel like a child--unsure of our relationship and the "How to's" of being a Christian. Well, just jump out and send God a love letter, a little Brain Mail, after all...it's postage free.

Waking up in pain.

9/17/2020

John 15:6 ESV
"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."

I must have slept on my knee the wrong way. I work up in excruciating pain. Not the way I like to wake up. In fact, it was the pain that woke me. I obviously was so tired, I was sleeping with it twisted unknowingly. It took me by surprised because I was sleeping. I had not idea what I had done. It took me awhile to settle down and figure out what had happened to me, as I stumbled to the kitchen to get some ice and Tylenol. Once, I had my wits about myself, and realized what had happened, I could control the situation.

That's not so with hell. Those that have denied Christ's existence will wake up and find themselves in severe pain, however they will not be able to do anything about it. The pain will not last until they can grab some ice and Tylenol but for eternity. I thought about that for a few moments while I was settling myself down, because truth be known I don't do mornings well. I feel better once I have been up awhile.

Only while on this earth can we do anything about our wake-up location. For that moment when we are between here and eternity is too late. Had I been about my wits I would have rolled back over onto my back. Replaced the pillow under my knee and adjusted myself. But, I was out of it. I was gone. I was dead tired. I slept on until it was too late.

ACTION STEP: Adjust yourself now. Wake up your friends and family and tell them to adjust themselves now. While the day is still the day, and they can do something about where, and how they will wake up. Decision time is now. Adjustment time is now. When they awake in pain it will be too late. Adjustment time is now.

No Blog starting tomorrow and going through until Monday September 28, 2020. I will be taking a (Vacay!)
I will miss sharing me day with you but promise to be
accumulating things to share when I return.

My color coded calendar.

9/16/2020

Psalm 90:10 NIV
"Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."

Genesis 6:3 NIV
"Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years."

The older I get the more colors are on my calendar. Allow me to explain. I have a desk blotter type calendar. Blue marker means Joe. Pink means me. Yellow means that I better not forget. Green means both of us. Purple means Sabbath, and on it goes. I add a person or persons they get a different color. At a glance I know by the color what's happening. Upon closer inspection you will find ink and pencil, they are just as important but less of a "have to" and more of a "get to." When I was young I had what I thought was a full calendar. The girls kept me busy. However, that calendar was nothing in comparison to what the calendar looks like now. It was more blocked. Madrigals and soccer were set dates. School was set dates. Today, nothing is set in stone. My life is fluid. My days are sometimes overly packed and other times almost empty and suddenly filled too full. As I was looking at this months calendar I saw all the colors and felt as though I heard, "The more room you make for people the more colorful your life becomes. All the colors of the rainbow are in me. Become like me and I will fill your life with color. I will fill it with the most beautiful sunrises and the most exquisite sun sets. There will be days of green and days of blue. I am all the colors of the rainbow, I made it."

I love my talks with God. It puts everything into perspective. I will not always be able to do what I do today. Already, there are things I think I can still do, but when I try--it doesn't always work. I thought I could still do an old cheer leader jump. Nah. I thought I could still do a back bend. Nah. I thought I could still drive straight through fourteen hours to the beach. Nah. I am learning by trial and error. I laugh and say, "Someone needs to write a book, "How to Grow Old," because no one has taught me and I'm hurting myself. I would rather learn "OPE" (other peoples experiences) and not have to experience everything myself. lol

ACTION STEPS: How are you color coding your life? Are you living your best life? Are you trying new things and not just growing older, squandering your time, or are you leaving a legacy with all the colors of the rainbow? Squander can mean spend foolishly or waste, to lose the advantage or opportunity through negligence or inaction. This definition jumped off the page to me. One day you will wake up and find that there is no time left for what you wanted to do. Perhaps, it will be a wake up to realize that you failed to do what God asked you to do? Do it now. Live a life full of colors now.

Fine China Friends and Family

9/15/2020

Romans 12:10
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

My kids don't like it when I make fancy dinners. They hate it when I use the fine china. "Mom, can we not just use paper plates?" They like buffet style. They like take out and pick-up. I on the other hand like fancy dishes, homemade food that takes hours to make and consume, and at least two hours at the table for conversation with coffee and dessert. I think meals are intimate. They are an act of love and service. Someone thought enough to take the time, to prepare a gift. The sheer reward I get when I see everyone chatting, and eating is my reward. The giver truly is more blessed than the receiver.

So, yesterday I had an opportunity to bless someone for their birthday with a true Italian meal, cheesecake included. We enjoyed the meal and one another's company for five hours. It was a gift given and a gift received. I was so happy to use my fine china and fancy stemware.

In this busy world of take-out and paper plates it's a wonderful time to celebrate china! When I said that, I heard in a soft voice, "Handle friends like fine china and family like paper plates." I questioned what I heard. Do we? Are we guilty of handling friends like fine china and family like paper plates? We take for granted that family will understand. We think that we don't have to mind our manners and practice kindness, gentleness, and meekness with family, right? As I talked with God I felt, as if He knew my heart. I still wanted to celebrate my family like fine china. To me they are precious, and even more so because I waited so long for each of them to come into my life. I came from a big family and my family is somewhat small. I want to celebrate them everyday and bring out the fine china.

God wants to celebrate you and I like that. He is planning a wonderful wedding supper. He has been planning it for years. He wants us all there. You may ask how do you get invited? You were invited before you were born. When God sent His only Son to die on a cross for us, that was our invitation. God will not be in a hurry. In fact our Father wants to spend eternity with us. You simply need to make God your Father, Jesus your Saviour and the Holy Spirit your best friend. Then, you're in. You will have a place card with your name on it! I plan on seeing you at the table.

ACTION STEP: Make plans today for you tomorrows. Get to know the Holy Spirit as your best friend. Talk with Jesus and walk with God. At first you may fill awkward but soon it will be as comfortable as a long-time friend. Make a fancy meal and minister to your family. They may wonder what the occasion is? Tell them you are simply following the Fathers lead, and wanting to show them His love. Oh and don't forget to use the fine china. You won't be needing it where you're going.

Celebrate Life

9/14/2020

Luke 12:34-36 TPT "Where you deposit your treasure, that is where your thoughts will turn to—and your heart will long to be there also.”

Yesterday, was a great day. It was Sunday and I got to be with my church family and then came home, and celebrate my husbands birthday. The family continues to grow, and I have learned to allow everyone to pitch in. We had a shish-kabob assembly line, and then my son-in-love took on the role of "Grill Master." The rest of us set up a makeshift cafeteria line, and set the rest of the foods out. After a time of prayer it was time to dig in. Conversations were flying and food was disappearing, it was this "Nonna's dream." But wait, it was the patriarch of the family's birthday, why am I enjoying this so? Then, it occurred to me. This is the reason God made family. He wanted to enjoy family time. He is the Patriarch. He rejoices when His children get together. In fact, He comes when only two or three are gathered. I am created in His image. No wonder I love family so much.

Whether your family is made of biological sisters and brothers, adopted, step, half, or church members, take time to rejoice. It is a gift to have others in our lives. God said, "it's not good for man to be alone..." So, God did something about it. Think for a moment, He liked, walking and talking daily with Adam. God wants to have dinner with us in Heaven. God is a Daddy, Abba Father. God loves His children. He wants us around.

ACTION STEP: Make family a priority. If you don't have one? Find a church and become part of one. If your family is drifting apart? Do your part to bring them back together again. Keep the "Root" the same no matter how big the "Family Tree" grows. God needs to be the center and life source. No matter how tough it gets, if God is the root--you will see fruit. Just keep watering with the Word of God.

Today we remember.

9/11/2020

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”

The very next verse tells us WHY and HOW God works for the good in all things.

Romans 8:29
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son”

That means the “good” that God works toward in our difficulties isn’t necessarily an eventual blessing or a realized dream, but the transformation of our character into Christ’s.

Hard things make us more like Jesus.

The passage of time — 19 years, to be exact — has not faded the memories of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 that were seared into the consciences of New Yorkers there to witness it.

The coordinated terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 killed nearly 3,000 Americans from all walks of life — and forever altered the course of American history and the New York skyline.

Today, the city and country — now dealing with horrors of a different kind from the COVID-19 pandemic — will pause to mark the 19th anniversary of the day of infamy, and honor the lives of victims killed in the attacks, and heroes who died attempting to save them. At the same time it's the anniversary of my baby brothers death and my sister-in-laws birthday. As I think of these events I think to myself it rains on the just and the unjust. We celebrate, we grieve, we win, we loose, but as Americans we go on. We learn. We get stronger. As Christians we hold on to our faith and we pray.

So, today this is short. As you listen to the video below (click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA0A3PA98zk or view in Browser if it does not show up) Then just Pray until the song ends. He is an awesome God. Then listen to hear what HE is saying to You. Then see action step below.

ACTION STEP: Is God asking you to do something hard right now? Embrace it. Trust that He knows what He’s doing and thank Him for the opportunity you’ve been given to gradually become more like His Son.

Living on yesterday or running your race?

9/10/2020

Yesterday, in the mail I got my T-Shirt from the half-marathon that was to have taken place in May, the medal and bib number. It was both bitter and sweet. The race was cancelled due to COVID19. As I felt my shirt and looked at my number I wondered how I would have done? I wondered what the weather would have been? I? Then, I remembered I would not have been able to run. The enemy had knocked my legs out from underneath me in what began as a simple root canal. I got my shirt but not the experience.

I began to think about Christians and people in general, how they want the T-Shirt but fail to train. They want the medal without the hard work. They want the Bib number but don't want to pay the price. My relationship with Jesus comes with a price both on my part and certainly it did on His. My relationship with Jesus is a daily discipline. I must train my body, mind and spirit. It's hard work to do what I am called to do at times, rather than just do what I want to do. Many of you hear me. You get it. But, some of you have no idea what I am talking about. You have no idea what you are missing.

Before I ran my first race in 1986 (I was a late bloomer) I had no idea of the adrenaline and excitement I would experience crossing that finish line. The 4 AM's came early and Hardee's coffee got me going. I had a 2 year old and a 5 year old. My attire was my husbands T-Shirt and shorts. No running clothes. No fancy water bottle just me and the pavement and a good friend.

Today, I still have the good friend. It is not always the pavement I am running on. In fact, more times than not, I am running on the Word of God. I am running on empty of what I've got and hungry for what He has for me. What makes me run the race that Christ has set before me? My love for Him. It's not a new pair of running shoes, but that my feet that are shod with the preparation of the Gospel. I'm not in a runners mindset, but I renew my mind daily by the watering of the Word. Oh, and let's talk about that belt of truth--well it's a lot bigger than it use to be.

ACTION STEP: Get into the race. Get your shoes on. Where do you start? Start with a few scriptures every morning. Find a good book. I suggest "Raising Samuels" by Keith Collins to get you started. https://www.target.com/p/samuels-arising-by-keith-collins-paperback/-/A-78132310

You're not going to feel like running everyday. Run anyways (read the word). You may even get injured or worse, experience an attack from the enemy to your health (been there). But, get up and get your shoes on. Lace them up. Grab the Bible and just run. You'll be glad you did.

See you at the Finish Line.

Turnaround time!

9/9/2020

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ...
Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 34:10b
Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Isaiah 26: 3-4
Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you.

It took me about 45 minutes today, just get on my Blog website to write this post. By the time I got on, I was a totally different person from the one who began to open her website. I had gone from a calm well rested, word filled from my devotional time person, to a maniac; wondering if I even knew Jesus. "Pastor Rena!" Don't judge me--less you be judged and not by me. I pray for mercy for all of us everyday. Why? Why do we have these issues with trying to do the right thing, at the right time, with the right motives get so hard at times? I don't know, but I do know there is nothing new under the sun, and God is still in control, even if I am out of control. I fight to keep God's super on my natural daily. It's a fight.

I have no idea why my devotional time was soooo good, and then work time went so bad? If you have any insight on this, I would love to hear it. Please not the normal, "Satan comes immediately to steal.." I already know that one. This however I have decided, I will press on all the more. In these days of trials and persecution, perilous times and uncharted epidemics, pandemics and financial crisis, I have decided to just breathe and rest in Christ my Savior. He has the whole world in His hands, and He knows my name. I want to encourage someone today. God knows your name. God knows what you are going through and He will see you through it. I have had the hardest times of my life physically for the last 5 months. But, I have this hope, I am going to have the best years of my life in the coming days. I will be healthier than ever. I will praise God all the more. I will trust God all the more.

ACTION STEP: If you are going through hell? Keep going! If you are sick? Proclaim and declare your healing! If financial struggles are looming over you? Declare you are the head and not the tail and God rejoices in your prosperity! It is turn around time! Our God is the God of the turn arounds!

I war with the word. My one word for this year is Emergence! I feel like the worm in the cocoon and the heat is on. But, through Christ my Savior I will emerge as a butterfly! God will do the same for anyone who is willing to take Him at His Word. The WORD works, if you work it! Until tomorrow, keep the faith! I am praying for you! Keep going! Refuse defeat! Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw