"Life is Change"

I made the discovery last post that it was #365. I thought wow I have posted a full calendar years worth of devotions. I think that my ability to be fresh and insightful is waning. I have life changes that begin next week and need to rethink my next chapter in how I relate and communicate with God. I believe through prayer and attention the next era will come. I once took a break because I walked to work for a few months. Let's for all purposes call this a time for me to go walking once again. Walking with God is always a good place to be!!!

"Finding God"

When people talk about finding God I am perplexed? God always was there and was never lost. It was we who were lost! Finding our way to or back to God is life changing.

I hear people say they believe in God and are trying to be a good person. I think that is a good start. I also believe that God desires us to represent,(God), and live our lives for that purpose.

Going to church has no God impact if we leave it to only that hour or so. Going to church should be our fuel and fire for living for and serving God. Finding God is a bigger picture that requires a lifestyle change and commitment.

We find God and accept him into our lives and our hearts are changed. We are like newborns, we then have the rest of our lives to grow up and mature in God. The best part is we continually will find God in all we say and do!

Verses: Psalm 62: 1-6 Matt 7: 7-12 Matt 10: 37-39

"Change our Way of Living"

Media will show us that if we are rich and successful we can have high rise penthouse apartments, mansions , and luxury cars!! The implication is that, that will provide us with satisfaction and security.

Ask any mission worker and they will tell a different story. They will have endured minimal accommodations and yet will have been completely satisfied and secure.

I have been more energized and inspired by the most simple of life's experiences. For me the natural world is ample in its ability to entertain and fill me up! Everything God has created, man, earth, animal, heaven and beyond are perfectly fulfilling and beautiful.

Every time through prayer, worship, conversation and time with our loved ones I am reminded of Gods' greatest gift of all- LIFE!!

Verses: Eze 36: 24-32 2 Cor 5: 16-21 Romans 12: 1-8

"Change Our Expectations"

I remember as a youngster having great expectations of what life would one day be like. I probably romanticized about how that would be. Life dealt me it's fair share of reality checks! The expectations may have been altered but the experiences along the way were all character building.

At the half way point in life my expectations are somewhat different My experiences have opened my eyes to new and more realistic dreams. As most parents will attest my most prized successes are my kids. Family and all those we call friends are expectations met and exceeded.

My vision for the future is to live life to improve and brighten the world we live in. My own needs and desires all can be met through a life of purpose and depth.

God in my life allows me to see the future as one day at a time and with more Godly expectations!! Verses: Matt 6: 25-34 Prov 30: 7-9 1Peter 4: 1-11

"Change our Location"

Sometimes our physical location is hindering our ability to live and grow. Sometimes it is where we live or with whom. Other times it is where we go and what we do.

Anywhere we are can be helpful and provide growth. Sometimes though we get caught in an awkward and difficult place. It is a long and rocky road sometimes to get to a new location.

Prayer and communion with God can help lead us to where we are supposed to be. Trust and lean on God to help us to that new destination. The irony is that the new location may actually be the same place we already were but with a new attitude and outlook.

God has the most amazing ability to lead us out of struggle and strife and open our eyes to new and exciting possibilities.

Pray: Thank you God, for all of our many life's' lessons and actions!!! Verses: Gen 28: 10-17 Prov 15: 3 Rev 21: 1-4

"Change Our Attitude"

Anytime we want to enjoy a better life we usually need to change how we perceive our present lives. If we decide that everything is gloom and doom, then it will be! If we opt to see everything as opportunity and potential for growth we will also succeed!

Present day culture is often a detriment to our ability to live a productive and impactful life. We are constantly bombarded with choices that we supposedly enhance and make our lives wonderful.

Technology is rampant with devices and sources to entertain and occupy us. The truth is that core values and actions are better at providing true satisfaction! Being content with what we have, being respectful of other people and their needs, all are powerful and fulfilling actions.

God gives us life, we need to approach life with a God like attitude!! Verses: Psalm 130 (all) Matt 22: 15-22 Titus 2: 1-15

"Change Our Diet"

If we want to be healthier we need to make some changes. Exercise is not only good for us but it makes us feel good. What we eat and how much also has a huge effect on our lives.

Our diet is mostly our own choices. What we eat and consume has a lot to do with what's available. We mostly determine what foods are accessible for us to eat. Economics also influences what we have available and what we consume.

God designed us for a variety of choices. There are some very delicious and nutritious foods for us to consume. There are also some not so good choices.

In our diet of food what we decide to eat and drink can greatly affect our health. Likewise what we have for a diet of God and his desire for us, is also a choice and greatly affects our spiritual health.

Verses: Deut 8: 1-10 John 6: 35-40 3 John 1: 4

"Milestones Of Life"

We all have events that we cherish in our path through life. An early one for me was learning to ride a bike. I had no idea then how important that would be to me. Today I love the feel and experience of riding my bikes.

Every child we have are also milestones in our lives. A new job or a new house can start us on a new life journey. Memories of places we have been and things we have seen are all wonderful to have!

Overall having God become our focus is the best milestone to all of us. A recognition of God as supreme being is the beginning of a wonderful journey for each of us. All the other ones can be appreciated because we know and love God.

Some of our best milestones may seem rather small but they can be very important to us. Simple ones are often the most significant and life altering. Praise God for all the milestones we will have and continue to have.

Verses: Eze 34: 25-31 Prov 10:6 James 1: 12

"When the Kids Grow Up"

How many parents have said that? As soon as the kids are grown we can do this and that. How many have them wondered what to do after the kids have left?

Raising the kids is a fulfilling and rewarding life. It is also a lot of work! There is a fair share of struggle and strife. But the rewards are huge and everlasting. There is also an abundance of laughter, love and fun!!

We may even get grand children some day and relive some of our own children's milestones. If we are as fortunate as I have been, I have almost 30 years of raising kids. It is all I really have known. I still have lots to learn but sure have been blessed to be a dad all those years.

Praise God for our children whether they were born to us or came about as life and it's choices happened. "When they grow up" is an ongoing life experience. Being a family and loving each other and God is a life well lived!!

Verses: Ex 20: 12 Prov 13: 1 Eph 6: 1-4

"When We Are- What We Are"

Being rich, famous, powerful, important, may never be the case for most of us. Being content and satisfied is an option for all of us.

My philosophy is to be a loving, kind and an inspirational person to others that know me. My gifts and talents should be used to accomplish those very things.

There is no way to know when the "when we are" will happen. The " what we are" is here and now. Right now I am writing and hoping and praying that God can speak to others through me. My amazement comes from that God and I sit down and commune together for this time.

I don't know how long or what our time will produce but so far I have been blessed and have great growth from it all. Right now is a great place to be where I am!

Verses: Prov 27: 7-12 Col 3: 1-17 Gal 5: 16-26

"When I Have- What We Have"

We all probably expressed this notion. When I have all my eggs in a row I will then .......! Not a good place to be sometimes, "when I have" may never come.

What we have is Gods' blessing to us. What we should care about is all the wonderful things in our lives. When I have mentality may distract us from what we do have.

God teaches us that if we have love then we are good to go!! Our friends, our children, our spouses give us a huge portion of love. God is an awesome and complete example of how that can and should be.

My prayer is to love and live with "what I have" and not "when I have". Life is fulfilling when we are satisfied with the basics of life, love and living.

Verses: Matt 22: 34-40 Psalm 103: 1-5 Proverb 23(all)