Election Day Encouragement

It's election Day here in the USA. During this campaign season, negativity grew like a brontosaurus on steroids.

Despite the mud-slinging mayhem, we still have an amazing opportunity.

We get to vote.

Yep, we have the incredible privilege of voicing our opinions through the ballot box.

And wherever we stand on an issue, whichever candidates we endorse, people are not our enemy.

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Eph 6:12

What should we do if a rabid wolverine would be a better choice than the elected candidate?

We pray for them.

"Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." 1Tim 2:2

God isn't pacing around his throne room muttering, 
"Holy smoke, I didn't see that coming! Oh snap, what now?"

God isn't moved.
God isn't worried.
God is love.


Our options: 
A) Fuss, fret, and fume over the election.
B) Draw closer to the Lord, and show His love to others.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16


In these dark times, let's blaze God's brilliant light across this land, and across this world.

Whatever the election outcome, we can hold fast to Jesus words, 

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  
But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NLT

Photo courtesy artur84 @freedigitalphotos.net

Cutting the Cable

In my last blog I admitted my weakness. I'd created a late night TV and junk food comfort zone.

I'd tried to break the habit. The trail of nacho cheese Doritos gave me away.



photo courtesy of vectorolie@freedititalphotos.net

I came across Psalm 138:3

"As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength."

Oh yeah, baby, that's what I needed. Strength.

So I prayed for it, expecting be endowed with super-human strength. A sudden disdain for chocolate. A potato chip aversion. Instead, my husband Jake, himself a TV junkie, asked if I'd be willing to cut out cable.

Say WHAT?

My husband spends the majority of his at-home time camped out in his Lazy Boy in his secret lair--the basement.

But the day after I prayed Jake said, "I have too much to do around the house to waste my time watching TV. How would you feel about canceling the cable?"

Say WHAT?            

photo courtesy of Ambro@freedigitalphoto.net

After I picked my jaw off the floor we pulled out the cable bill and checked the latest rate increase. That clinched it.

March 31st will be our last day. No cable TV as of April Fools' Day. Ironic, huh?

Jake & I are getting prepared.

• Instead of turning on the Weather channel, I stick my head out the front door.

• Rather than checking in with Cramer and the gang, Jake's going online for stock market reports.
• For breaking news stories we have our dads on standby. If Walter Cronkite was alive, they'd scoop him. Both fathers know everything happening locally, nationally, and around the world.

I think we're covered.

God answered my prayer in a totally unexpected way. Has He ever answered yours in a way that caught you by surprise? I'd love to hear it.

Meanwhile, I'll keep you up to date on our cable-cutting experiment.

Goodbye Turner Classic Movies. I hope Robert Osborne will be OK without me.



Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic@freedigitalphoto.net
 

As Walter would say, "…and that's the way it is, March 26th, 2014"

Possum, anyone?

Ever had a possum in your oven?

Not some animal that accidentally scurried into your home and holed up behind an appliance.

I'm talking about cooking a critter. One so far outside the norm that people give you "THE LOOK" if you mention it.

A hunk of wildlife that the Duck Dynasty family might enjoy for lunch.

Roasting a possum puts me WAY out of my comfort zone. Seriously, how many guests does a marsupial feed? Looking at its small foil wrapped body, I was pretty sure there wouldn't be enough to even satisfy Uncle Si.

But my parents are pretty light eaters...

I called my mother and said, "You and Dad are invited to dinner. I'm making possum."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line, then my mother burst out laughing. "Sweetheart, I though you said you're cooking a POSSUM."

"Yeah. I was kinda queasy at first, but with the fur off it looks like meat you'd get in the supermarket. Except for the little legs sticking out. Can you come?"

Without missing a beat my refined mother replied, "Thank you anyway, but we had rat for dinner. We're stuffed."

Evidently possum is out of her comfort zone too.

Sometime I let my comfort zones become Grand Canyon-sized ruts. Have you ever been there? The rut, not the Grand Canyon.

Seeing Nick Vujicic on YouTube took away all of my excuses.

http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/

This Australian-born man doesn't have arms or legs, but he's a father, swimmer, and world-wide inspirational speaker.

He shared how the Lord transformed his life from "A life without limbs to a life without limits."

 

 

Watching him inspired me (OK, guilted me) into addressing one of my literal comfort zones: The Late Night TV & Snack Food Couch Potato Arena.

I'm struggling with this one. Here's the scenario: It's bedtime, but the pull of mindless TV and potato chips draws me to the couch. I sit there like a zombie until I nod off. I wake up in the middle of the night disoriented and covered with crumbs. I stagger off to bed, and wake up in the morning exhausted. Am I the only one?

I've tried to break the habit in my own strength. My attempts were as effective as using honey for fly repellent. If you relate, don't give us hope. God knew we'd be challenged. I came across this reminder today:

"As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength."     Psalm 138:3 NLT

Nick Vujicic crosses the globe to inspire and encourage people. With God's help I can get off the sofa and cross the street to do the same.

How about you? What's your comfort zone? Are you ready to come out of it?

Let's ask God for the strength to do what we were created to do, and make a positive difference in the world.

And leave the roasted possum to Uncle Si and the family.

Photo courtesy of Grant Cochrane @ freedigitalphotos.net

How Could You Betray Me Like That?

You betrayed me.

                                      

I took care of you.

I treated you well.
I gave you shelter.
I poured time and effort and money into you. This is how you repay me?
You quit on me without any warning.

It shouldn't end this way.
I feet totally betrayed...and I'm just talking about my car dying.

I took care of it.

I drove it gently.
I parked it in the garage.
I shucked out money for regular maintenance.
My repayment for all that care? The engine gave out.

I picture Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow chanting at the engine, "Rapping and tapping and knocks. Oh my!"

Most of us, at some point, have been sideswiped by betrayal.

We skip down the yellow brick road of life and hit a barricade-

• A cheating spouse.
• An ungrateful child.
• A thieving co-worker.
• A disloyal friend.
• An absentee parent.

The pain of betrayal is gut-wrenching.

It leaves us shaken and reeling, our trust shattered.

 

After all, we cared for the person.

We treated them well.
We gave them shelter.
We poured time and effort and resources into their life. We're repaid with a knife in the back, a kick in the rear, a slap in the face.

Ever been there?

Jesus has. He had thousands of followers--and I'm not talking Twitter. Of his 12 closest friends, one, Judas, sold him out for 30 silver pieces.
A knife in the back, a kick in the rear, a betrayal kiss on the cheek, worse than a slap.

Jesus knows EXACTLY how we feel because he endured it himself.

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:4  

                                                         

                                                      

It's true. He's comforted me more times than I can count. And he'll do it for you. His arms are open right now, waiting for you. Run to him.
You're not alone. God cares for you, and so do I. Contact me if you want prayer. I'll pass along God's comfort.

Soon Dorothy and her pals will have a new refrain. "Healing and comfort and help. Oh my!"

Images courtesy of  marin @http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
and Khunaspix @ http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/