It’s Hot Dog Time

Hot dog! This hot dog that is on the barbecue is going to taste so great, I’m going to just love it. Well, maybe using “love” is a little dramatic...instead I should say this hot dog will bring my tummy and taste buds a lot of joy.

Often we carelessly use the word love without truly understanding its meaning. The emotion carries so much weight that it has many different descriptions to express its characteristics. For example agape is the love of God, it is something that cannot be erased or lost. Now, we could never use this word to demostrate our adoration of a hot dog! This is the highest form of love, it selfless and unconditional. How wonderful it is to know that our Heavenly Father has this love for us and sticks with us through the thick and thin.

Another definition is philia, which is usually translated as “brotherly love” and “friendship”. It is the feeling of compassion, respect, and care for others. When we see our neighbors in need we help them without expecting anything in return. We cheer for our friends for the good, and pray for them through the bad. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

So the next time you are waiting in a long line and impatiently tapping your toes, ask yourself if you are showing love for your fellow man. Or the next time a friend is in need of fellowship, invite them over and split a hot dog with them! Not only will they cherish the time of friendship, they will also really enjoy the hot dog.

Kitties in Karate

Doggies don’t meow and kittys don’t fend for you.

Naturally life is life. Yet looking past the normal occurrences such as the morning sunrises and evening sunsets we see a being who has this ability to change it all up. Through this power He can make a little kitten as fierce as a lion! 

Jesus is offering you His comfort during your plight. God has graciously given us access to the power of Christ as it says in Ephesians 3:20 “now to Him who is able to do exceedingly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. This correlates with Him working in us during our trials. Ask and you will receive, however, this does not suggest that the Lord will instantly erase all of your problems. Yet, He does answer our prayers (thought it might not seem like it at the time) through His peace. Ask the Lord for encouragement during uncomfortable issues of life and you will find peace in Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

So pray about your doggie meowing and your kitty doing a karate kick.  

And call me if your cat busts out a karate chop and your dog lets out a purrrrrrrrr.

How Wide, How Long, How High and How Deep

Feeling frail or feeble, not finding peace with the distractions of this world? Are you finding a temporary joy in Earthly things but notice how it all falls apart when something chaotic occurs? That thing that once put a smile on your chubby cheeks is suddenly gone and now you feel alone again.

Empty, sad, and incomplete.

Yet there is a something that you can grasp far better than anything on Earth. It does not include wealth, or the perfect body, it is Jesus! Lovingly Christ gave up His life for our future where we can grasp everlasting happiness all thanks to Him!  When you accept Jesus into your life you will discover a new type of peace and joy that is never quenched by the trials of life. As it says in Ephesians 3:16-19, “I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him...may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His Love is. May you experience the love of Christ...Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God”.

Forgive then Forget

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.“

Isaiah 43:25

We’re even Steven.

Let no grief or hidden grudges persist, rather one should have a clean slate. Let all these treacherous feelings be drained out and become purified. When we take our eyes off ourselves and pivot them to Christ Jesus we can see the unblemished mark of forgiveness. This is a gift not delivered by itself but comes along with forgetting. 

The Almighty Jesus died on the cross to forgive all of our sins. He delivered the passcode to unlock, the safe containing mercy, for HE gave us the ability to refine ourselves. The only way to unlock the chamber of freedom (which was once locked shut by our own sins) is with Jesus. Forgiveness helps you experience life; the door is finally beginning to open.

As Jesus pardoned our sins with His death, he brought us to a renewed life. Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.” Therefore, He erases all memories of our past sin. Note: while we are forgiven it is not implying that we can just continue with our sinful ways. Rather we are to live a righteous life and follow the path of the Lord. 

So, since we are forgiven we can continue holding grudges and living in sin? Sorry to break this to you but not quite, Since you discoverd Jesus this transfers a new sense within your own heart, the Spirit lives within you attempting to encourage you through the Bible and directs you away from sin. 

Find Your Inner Shark

Remove your scuba gear and swim as fierce as a shark, not like a baby tadpole living in fear of a bigger fish swiftly gobbling you up with ease. 

Be like a shark and swim smoother and speedier, be strong and courageous by having Christ in your heart. This is the first step for many blessings, and one is knowledge of the glorious things to come. It says in Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Now just think how excited we become when we receive a small and slender gift on earth, we can only dream how incredible the blessings in heaven will be.

Remember when trouble takes over don’t be like the tadpol swimming in terror, be brave in Christ and remember we have a comforter to cry to, our Lord Jesus. We can pray to Him during all times, whether it be during chaos or during the various kool breezes. 

Fries and a Milk Shake

McDonald's may always seem like the best idea, but going every single day for fries and a milk shake will not treat your waist or heart very well. Sure, it sounds delightful, however, you don't need to eat it every day.

Just like eating junk food is bad, destructive repetitive actions are also not good for the spirit. However, positive repetitive actions are beneficial for the mind, body, and soul.

When problems arrive there are two paths to select; the first is to continuously wallow in self pity, the second is to call out to Jesus. 

Monotonous sorrow will not enhance the situation or your emotions. It will soon becomes a routine, which is followed by depression and self destruction. Yet, with unceasing determination you can cry out to the Lord where you can find rest. God will hear your request and He will keep His resolutions. Know that He will offer direction to us by using the Scripture and we should persistently pray our requests and thanksgiving to the Lord. 

Habitually praying will lift the soul, you will soon gain patience and perseverance. Though your prayers may not be instantly answered, you will still feel the Holy Spirit. So whenever doubt, fear, or any negative thoughts enter your mind, think of this Bible verse:

"In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before him, into His ears." Psalm 18:6

Isn't that wonderful to know someone is always listening?