Quick Book Review.

I have been reading The Blessed Life, by Robert Morris.  Since reading this book I have made some purposeful changes in my business and personal life.  As usual I was second guessing myself on some changes, then a client stopped by my office and out of the blue he asked if he could give me some business advice.  His advice, “Whatever you do, tithe and then give more.”  He summarized the book and confirmed my changes in five words. 

If you can read the book, do.  It will give you why, when and how.  But if you don't read the book.  Take the advice of a dear friend and client. 

Tithe and then give more. 



 

Cuts & Colors

Yesterday I got my hair cut.   I asked Lisa Michelle (hair stylist) to give me something short and funky...just surprise me.  After the cut, she showed me several ways to fix it to get different looks.

This morning while fixing my hair, I started thinking about all the cuts and colors I have had over the years.  It has been long and straight, long and spiral, long and wavy.  It’s been short and spiky, short and wedged, short and bobbed; and all the in between lengths and layers.  Not to mention the colors: red, brown, blonde, and an orangey purple (yes, it was an accident).

When I think of all my cuts and colors, one thing is constant.  God always know who I am.  Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Isn’t that awesome! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ

Just-in-Time

Several years ago my daughter, Skye, went to the pound to find my niece a dog for her birthday.  When Skye got there they had 21 dogs they were going to put to sleep at the end of the day, no exceptions.

She was so upset- so she went on a quest to save as many as possible.  She went out with snap shots, e-mail, phone calls, phone calls, and more phone calls.  And of course I had gotten an e-mail with the snap shots and several phone calls.  I instantly fell in love with one of the dogs.  I called Troy, he said no.  Skye called me, I called Troy…he says no.  Skye calls with an urgent plea “You have to make a decision, yes or no…the time has come, they are closing”  I called Troy, he said no…this time I said that’s fine, but YOU call your daughter and tell her No, let them put him to sleep.  Well, Troy called Skye and he said yes.  She calls the pound; they had closed. 

Here’s the deal… people are the puppies and dogs.  The pound is the world and there will be death.  (all have sinned and the wages of sin is death) Skye is Christ, she went to the pound took snap shots, sent emails, and made phone calls.  Christ came to this world, his snap shots are miracles, e-mails are parables and phone calls are his instructions.  “Follow me…”

Troy and I are the dogs in the pound.  I fell in love instantly, Troy says no.  She calls, I talk to Troy, he says no.  I was trying to change Troy’s mind, when all along I should have put it in Skye’s hand.  Jesus says I will make you fishers of men,…( but)… God gives the increase. 

Here is the rest of the story.  Skye called the pound, they were closed, but she left them a message.  The next morning the pound calls her back, they couldn’t put this one to sleep.  We picked him up that evening, his name “Just-in-time.”  Remember there were more than 20 dogs to die that evening…she saved 9.   The path is narrow.

Now we know Skye is not Jesus, we are not dogs and the world is not he pound.  But Jesus did come to this world as a man; He worked miracles, taught parables and left instructions.  Then at the end of His days, He died on the cross, was buried and resurrected so that we can have eternal life.  We also know this; there will be one, a few or many of us that will say yes, but there will be many more who continue to say no.   

Wrinkled story lines.

For years I thought I had a typical life.  Then we had a terrible family crisis and a friend made a comment comparing my life to Job.  I was surprised by the comment.  I reflected on the last 30 years of marriage and this is what I found. 

*My daughter has severe asthma.
*A son with ear problems, 11 sets of tubes and an ear disease.
*My husband was in a terrible car accident which lead to a trial, plus numerous attorney problems.  Everything from one attorney becoming seriously ill to another attorney being arrested.
*And my other son serving two tours in Afghanistan and one in New Orleans for Katrina.  Then he came home and celebrated his 23rd birthday.

Considering life did not stop during each event, but went on simultaneously with everyday life activities.  I realized I don't have a typical life.  (I still wouldn't compare it to Job.)

I know I have earned the wrinkled lines around my eyes and those wrinkles are my story lines.

I'm here, I'm always here."

Every time I see my 3 year old granddaughter she says, "Ninni, I love you-I missed you!"  It is always very expressive and dramatic.  What's funny is I can leave the room for a few minutes and when I return she says, "Ninni, I love you-I missed you."  Then we have discussions about life; such as when she is seven she wants to have a sleep over and how all her life she has wanted to ride a horse.  I love it!

Jesus wants that same relationship with us.  He wants you to express your hurts, concerns and pleasures to Him.  And just like I love to hear my granddaughter say I love you and miss you; God wants us to go to Him and say "I love you and miss you."   In which he whispers, "I'm here, I'm always here."