Grace outruns us in the race to the Throne.
It sets a table for two in the presence of my enemy,
even when my enemy is me.
Grace calls a life ransomed when we declare it to be ruined.
Trisha Keehn
Writer
Pleasure Isn’t Worth Regret
As we near the end of the year, I’m exploring old adventures, sharing some smiles and shedding a few tears that I’ve written in these journals throughout 2015. There’s no label I can slap on the cover of this one, but I’m looking for lessons to learn as I head into the next.
There were a few mountaintop experiences, but one recurring valley and it dug it’s ugly head into different areas of my life; relationships, food, sleep. choices to stay out longer and be up later instead of resting. it was fun to do, but I never felt great afterward.
In the middle of sifting through warped pages, the takeaway was boldly obvious: A moment of pleasure isn’t worth a day of regret. This is a good filter for my decisions in the future, I thought
.
.Living a life that seeks pleasure over wisdom isn’t worth any kind of regret. It drains the capacity to be our best.
Later in the day I read, ‘psychologists say a sign of good mental health is the ability to delay gratification.’
Without stepping into the next invitation of momentary pleasure, how can we prepare now? I made a list of what my best life looks like. Now it’s up to me to guard this with my choices.
For me, having a peaceful moment with God is crucial for me to lead a life of love and grace. Scheduling this at the first part of my day before the world wakes (and wants to take that time away) is important. My day has this 5 a.m. foundation. And in order to wake up and feel refreshed, alert and ready to listen at this hour, my body tells me I must get eight to nine hours of rest. So I shut the lights off at 8 p.m. and I let the Lord wake me when He’s ready.
The best life for me also includes physical exercise. Whether that’s a decent 5-mile walk in the park or inside the gym lifting weights. My muscles and joints just don’t feel their best without it. Sunday night I look at the calendar for the week and block out my time to workout each day of the week.
Nutrition helps my body have the energy to keep up with the calendar. Since I have little self control when it comes to portions or saying ‘no’, it’s important for me to assemble every meal ahead of time, starting Sunday night. The crockpot makes this easier. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week are waiting in line on the shelves of my fridge so I can ‘grab and go’ and I don’t have to second guess if it’s well-balanced.
I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
The bible reminds us that this body we live in houses the holy spirit and it was bought for a price. It’s not meant for the physical and mental damage that comes with sexual immorality or gluttony. Taking care of the body we’ve been given demonstrates respect for what God created.
There are other parts to life that make us our best, like having community and conversations and quality time face to face with friends, but those come after this responsibility to our personal health. We are not much good to a group if we can’t protect our personal best. These three areas, rest, exercise and nutrition are a starting place.
What does being your best look like for you?
Pick Your Place and Start Running
The evening news called it one of Broadway’s hottest performances, drawing in the President of the United States and cabinet members even, and it’s being hailed as a theatrical “game-changer”. “Hamilton” is a hip-hop, rapping musical about the life and times of founding father Alexander Hamilton. It took 35-year old playwright, Lin-Manuel Miranda, six years to produce the performance, including the music compositions, and taking on the title character.
Last night, I listened to the young producer share the pivotal moment to his current success. It was when he was accepted into a school for the gifted; he was a very bright child.
“Everyone was smarter than me. And I’m not blowin’ smoke. I was surrounded by genius, genius kids. What’s interesting about growing up in a culture like that is you go, ‘All right, I gotta figure out what my thing is. Because I’m not smarter than these kids. I’m not funnier than half of them, so I better figure out what it is I wanna do and work really hard at that.’ And because intellectually I’m treading water to be here… I picked a lane and I started running ahead of everybody else. That’s the honest answer. I was like, “All right, THIS.”
“This” was theater. He was in practically every school play from then on.
I silenced the television. That’s a powerful story. Letting those words ruminate in my mind, I picked up a book quoting Dr. Seuss’s “A Zoad In The Road”.
Did I ever tell you about the young Zoad
Who came to two sides in the fork in the road?
He looked one way then the other way, too.
So the Zoad had to make up his mind what to do.
Well the Zoad scratched his head, his chin, and his pants,
And he said to himself, ‘Now, I’ll be taking a chance.
If I go to place one, that place may be hot.
So how will I know if I like it or not?
On the other hand though, I’ll feel such a fool,
If I go to place two and find it’s too cool.
In that case I may catch a chill and turn blue.
So place one may be best and not place two.
On the other hand though, if place one is too high,
I might get a terrible earache and die.
On the other hand though, if place two is too low,
I might get some terrible pain in my toe.
So place one may be the best,’ and he started to go.
And he stopped and he said, ‘On the other hand though. . .
On the other hand, other hand, other hand though, and. . .
For thirty-six hours and one half that Zoad made starts and made stops
At the fork in the road, saying ‘No, don’t take a chance, you may not be right.’
Then he got an idea that was wonderfully bright.
‘Play safe,’ cried the Zoad, ‘I’m no dunce.
I’ll simply start off to both places at once.’
And that’s how the Zoad who would not take a chance
Got no place at all with the split in his pants.
This poem represents the inability to commit to a solitary direction in life… and faith.
Maybe you’re at a fork in the road right now. Does it seem like everyone around you is smarter, richer, funnier, faster and more of everything that you are not? If your social media feed is anything like mine, it’s filled with dream chasers standing on the platform of their vision and sharing it all over the world.
Well, I’m encouraging you to pick a place. Choose a path that you can be good at. There’s room at the table for one more.
Are you a writer? What’s the one thing you can share with others from your own experience? Your story and perspective will come from the seasoning of life that is exclusive to you. No one else can come to the banquet with the kind of salt from your upbringing that you have.
Are you crafty? Your creative spirit can conceive and combine ideas that others cannot. You see the breakdown of steps on how to achieve a work of art. We need you at the table.
Are you all about the details? Surely your spreadsheets stand out amongst the crowd in color-coded charting and make a statement in the board room. Creative minds need your analytical brain to put these ideas on paper in a way the rest of us can understand it.
If you attempt to mix the world’s wisdom with Godly wisdom, well, this is when you end up going no place at all.
God has given you a direction and path that he wants you to follow. He may not have revealed each and every step to you at this very moment. And that’s okay. My advice is to just continue walking until He reveals the next one.
What does God’s path look like? It’s living a life that steps into faith when the details are fuzzy.
When you can’t see the end destination, and trust His lead into the next step, that is the surest way to reach your final destination.
Putting Power In Your Prayer
Jesus, that sweet name Jesus. Meet me here. You went to the cross, but you didn’t stay there. You went to the grave, but you didn’t stay there. You come here morning after morning to be with me, here.
Calm the raging storm of concerns holding my mind captive. Whatever this resistance is that has come against me, I am praying it down in the name of Jesus. You said because You live that we live as well. Because You have won, so we already have victory over this battle beating up against us.
So I surrender to Your Word and declare this war that has me wrapped around it’s finger is over! Every thought that is fighting against me must flee at the sound of His name… Jesus. Every challenge has been conquered when Christ rose from that grave. Every battle has been broken by the blood of Jesus spilled out over this land.
I am commanding this be a due season of ‘more’ in my life… more of Jesus… more Peace, more Love, more Joy than I’ve known. I surrender my plans in this moment, Lord, and pray for the wheel of Your promises to begin turning, that they may even come to pass in abundance.
My ears are open; may they remain sensitive to the Spirit speaking. My feet are in the runner’s block; I am on the mark and ready for Your word, ‘Go’. This fight will not finish me off. I will finish my course with joy!
Romans 16:20 reminds me, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under ‘your’ feet.” Christ, in His mercy, makes victory mind. He crushes Satan not only under His feet, but also under mine! All evil dominion and destruction will come to an end, and everlasting joy and triumph IS, not will be, but IS mine.
I’m letting go of fear and walking forward into the future you have destined for me at birth. I’m not listening to the wind or the birds, but my focus is on Your hand in my life. Tunnel my vision so that I can’t even be distracted by what other people around me are doing.
This valley I’ve been in is only temporary. Psalm 112 says, “when darkness overtakes me, light will come bursting in”. Help me get in agreement with what you’ve said about me, Lord. I’m looking away from the distractions, and the things trying to entangle me in what I have no business being a part of. I’ve got my sight set on Your unshakeable hand, Jesus. My eyes are on the victory and the things you’ve overcome.
I’m drawing a line in the sand today. This struggle that is strangling the life out of me, I pray it down!
Give me wisdom on who needs to be in my life and who needs weeding out. This is a season of Freedom. Open the right doors and close the wrong ones. Give me the strength to make decisions that honor You. Restore my health, Jesus, and this sickness in my mind. Restore joy, peace and favor with a refreshing rain over my spirit.
May this rain of dreams and promises all reflect back to You, on the mercy and grace and goodness of You, Jesus.
As a child of the Most High God, I declare I am a victor and not a victim. I believe Your light is about to burst through the clouds that have been holding me back. I am expecting a breakthrough today, and that my faith will be released today. I am expecting You, today, Jesus.
I believe these words and pray them all in the name of the Almighty, in the name of Love, my Healer and Deliverer, the King of Kings and the Victorious One, Jesus… Amen.
The Rarest Thing In The World
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist. – Oscar Wilde
Take a deep breath. Feel the air fill your lungs, and hold on. Today is your day to live out what you’ve been thinking about. There is freedom moving forward. No one can stop you from starting over. Don’t think too fast for your feet that you become anxious for tomorrow. Just begin walking out today, and live it well, my friend.
Shine On
As the days grow grayer, the nights stretch longer, and the air turns to ice, stand guard over your thoughts and dress it up in sparkle if you have to.
The changing seasons of life can dim the lights on our dreams. Situations with people we love or in the place we live can dull our passion or put out the flame.
Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth. The forecast shows clouds but my feet say, Shine!
The Seasoning of Life
There is peace here.
The birds haven’t spread their wings yet, and the squirrels are still tucked into tiny tree beds. My shoes do an early morning shuffle through the leaves, soaking up this damp air that lays heavy on my face. I swing a notebook in my hand, as I wait on the Lord for something, anything that will stir my spirit.
I snap this picture.
There’s a scattering of yellow and orange still holding onto life, staring at the fate of friends who have since let go. Perhaps those still breathing actually turn away, to face the sky in praise toward the Maker of the heavens and the universe.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! (Psalm 150:6)
Though these leaves, these lives undoubtedly see death happening all around, they don’t let go. I bet the view is spectacular up there.
And then one slips.
The heaviness in the air was too much to bear, I suppose. I watch the crinkled maple sway left, and see-saw right. I smile. Even a leaf can enjoy the ride on the way down. And now this leaf lays to rest in a bed where all the others have gone.
And soon the turn of the season will freeze this foliage that fertilizes new life in the Spring.
Look up. Whatever is raining on your parade, clouding your focus or heaven forbid, biting at your cheeks with the bitterness of a very long winter, turn away from the view of death in your situation.
Praise the heavens. This too shall pass. And there will be purpose here. One season is fertilizer for the next.
Something About the Name Jesus
There’s something about the name of Jesus… it is the sweetest name I know.
I love the name Jesus.
Some people say I’m crazy but I can’t explain the power that I feel when I call Your name. It’s just like fire shut up in my bones, the Holy Ghost is moving and it just won’t leave me alone.
It’s sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. At the name Jesus, every need has got to bow. You don’t have to wait until the fire comes. Go on. Praise Him now.
– Kirk Franklin & The Rance Group
Most Important Meal; Prayer
The most important meal of the day; prayer.
‘Come, Child. I’ve prepared something for you today.’
It’s a royal breakfast with your father, where are never more anxious to receive from God than He is willing to provide. We do not know what will be on the table today but we can be sure it is exactly what we need. It will nourish and refresh the soul, this we can be sure of.
He’s spread out a banquet table before you today. It is His pure pleasure to prepare it and gives great joy to His heart when we sit down to feast.
Did you remember to take in the most important meal of the day? It’s not too late to receive it.
Are You Ready For The Rain?
Don’t let the condemning voices convince you that you’ve blown it. The brokenness in your marriage isn’t too far for recovery. Those bills can get paid and your credit restored. Your heart can discover hope after a devastating divorce, a death or unplanned pregnancy.
When we make mistakes or get off course, it’s easy to get down on ourselves and live guilty or condemned. Setbacks can push our dreams down and make us feel like a failure, weak and lame.
Sometimes it wasn’t even your fault. Maybe because of someone else, you were left here a mess with addictions, bad habits and scars. Even well-meaning people can put you at a disadvantage and it’s tempting to blame their problems for holding you back.
But it really is a waste to spend your time making excuses and going through life nursing the wounds, because God has His hand out wanting to put you back in the game.
It’s time to get off the sidelines. God is in the restoration business. Take the hand you were dealt and work with it.
The place where you are in life doesn’t change the identity of whose you are. Life may have thrown you some curves but you are still a child of the King.
God knows it all. He wants to give you back your joy, abundant peace, and help you get some victory over this stuff. He still loves you and wants to be good to you and He’s never waiting to write you off when you stray.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Psalm 147:3-6
You don’t have enough power to screw up God’s calling for your life. It is irrevocable. He doesn’t change His mind based on what you do.
We are the ones who decide that our weaknesses don’t deserve the royal crown. So we give up. Don’t let someone else’s judgment of your behaviors convince you to stay there. God wants to restore you back. But you have to get into agreement with Him on this.
Bring your humility with the desire to get back on track.
Mercy doesn’t make sense. We don’t deserve it but God gives it. So how long are you going to stay where you are? A fresh start is waiting for you. Let’s be done blaming others and move forward into a newfound freedom, the favor of God.
The Most High God breathed life into you and crowned your head in favor. He made His children kings and priests unto Him. Nothing that has happened to you will ever change your identity. No one can take it away.
You still have royal blood flowing through you.
You are extremely valuable to God and the King is looking for you today. You can run but He’s going to keep pursuing you. In the club. On the streets. While you’re at work. God will leave the rest of the flock to come find you. He wants to bless you. Are you ready to receive it?
Let it rain, Lord. Open the flood gates of heaven and pour out your favor upon us today.