Take the Superbowl Challenge

 

 

Superbowl Sunday .. February 3, 2013.  

Superbowl fans look forward to this day all year long.  The game.  The parties.  The food.   

 

The commercials.

I have to admit that I'm not a football fan so all the hype and hoopla surrounding the Superbowl are pretty much lost on me.  But having faced some difficult situations in recent days, I found myself in need of a trip to the locker room for a pep talk.  Sometimes we need the Coach to remind us of what He knows we can do.  We have the training, the skills .. the equipment .. everything we need to get out there and defeat the challenger.

We are the home team!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even when we find ourselves at the bottom of the

heap -- or fumble and drop the ball at some point -- we're reminded that the victory is ours. "How we thank God for all of this for it is He who makes us victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (I Corinthians 15:57 NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't intend to let the enemy steal what I already have in my posession.

 

Peace

Purpose

Joy

 

 

 

 

 

I'm going to put my head down and keep on running.  I want the prize.  I want that Superbowl ring and, yes,  I want to go to Disneyland!

 

So ... I've got my armor on ... my helmet securely fastened . and my game face on.  Will you take the Superbowl Challenge?  I'm ready to take back everything the challenger has tried to take away from me and run all the way to victory.  Let's get out there and do this! I'm looking forward to doing my Victory Dance!  How about you?

 

I may not be a football fan, but I'll always be a fan of my grandson, Koltyn Morel, #23 on the Inola High School Varsity team. 



The Place With No Name

I'll say of the Lord He is my Shield,

my Strength,

my Fortress,

Deliverer,

My Shelter,

Strong Tower,

MY EVER PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED.

 

 

There is a place with no name.  I've been there many times ... and you probably have too.  Oh, we've called it many things.

 

The fire.

The pit.

The valley.

Between a rock and a hard place.

Hell on earth.

 

Each of these names describes our experience at the time but what do we call that place where we can do nothing but lift our eyes to the only One Who can possibly save us?  That place where we can't even put into words our desperate prayer ...

                                                                       we have no words left. 

 

Countless hours and precious energy spent weeping, pacing, praying, worrying, and many times finding ourselves fighting back total and complete panic because we can find no way through an absolutely impossible situation.  Then ... at the very moment we sink into complete despair, we remember that we are not alone ... and the flame of hope that had flickered weakly and we thought had nearly gone out forever suddenly bursts into full blaze, shining the light of Truth into our heart and spirit. 

 

The Truth that God has promised a way of escape from every situation.

The Truth that He will deliver us from the snare of the enemy.

The Truth that no weapon formed against us shall prosper.

That it is this Truth that will make us free!  *

 



There is no name for this place ... but it is a precious place.  A place filled with hope.  A place filled with promise. A place of healing and restoration.  A place filled with grace. 

 

Yes ... I have been to this place with no name many times.  And each time I find myself there I come away with a few more scars ... but I come away with renewed strength ... renewed purpose ... and renewed assurance that God is walking before me, making the crooked path straight, and dispelling the shadows with His light of Truth, Mercy, and Grace!

* 1 Corinthians 10:13
   Psalm 91:3
   Isaiah 54:17
   John 8:32

 

 

 

 

 

 



God's New Year's Resolutions



"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD.

"They are plans for good and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope."

               Jeremiah 29:11

So, I'm wondering this first day of 2013 how many are really putting pen to paper and writing out a list of New Year's resolutions.  You know what I mean ... that list of unrealistic and often unattainable goals that will make us feel guilty, less than, and defeated when we don't see some measure of success by the middle of February (often way before then).   Possibly some of the younger set who have not been discouraged by the tales of older resolution makers are sitting at their computers or using their Smart Phones, Ipads or whatever the writing tool of the day is, and working on their To Do lists for this coming year.

I, on the other hand, am old enough to fall into the category of those who just don't make that list anymore because my journals,  Bibles, and dresser drawers are filled with 50+ years of unfulfilled New Year's resolutions. 

It's time to try something different.

 

I want to discover what God's plan is for my life this year.  What a concept! God said, "I know the plans I have for you.  A plan for good and not evil." (Jeremiah 29:11)  God already has a plan!

 

So why am I spending every New Year's Day writing out my own plan?

 

I've spent this first morning of 2013 thinking about the plans I know God has for me this year:

 

He's planned for my success.

He's planned for my health and wellness.

He's planned for all of my needs to be met in Christ.

He's planned for Goodness and Mercy to follow me ALL the days of this year

 and the years yet to come.

He's planned to lead and guide me in every decision I face.

He's planned to be with me in sunshine and sorrow .. for the sorrows will surely come.

 

Now this is a list I can live with!  How about you?  Let me encourage you to make your own list of what you know God has planned for you.  If you need help get out your Bible and start reading through, picking out the promises God has made through the ages ... they are still in effect today.  I know you'll be on your computer so Google Promises of God and see what comes up.  Better yet ... spend some time in His presence and let Him tell you Himself all the wonderful things He has in store for you.  God's resolutions are never in danger of not being fulfilled ... He keeps His promises!

 

I'm wishing you all a very happy and blessed New Year ... filled with all God's best for you and your families.  Now ... I'm going back to work on my list. 

 

There are many more "resolutions" on God's list for us!