Second Chances

Each day we find ourselves making decisions that determine whether or not we follow the path the Lord asks us to walk. Each day we either walk a step further or we find reasons to stay right where we are on the path.

Do we walk over to that person standing all alone looking lonely and confused, introduce ourselves and see if we can offer a hand? Or, do we walk away?

Do we give up all that we know, quit our jobs and move to another country to share God with people that have never heard? Or, do we continue on our current path in a place where all is familiar?

Obviously, each of the examples are at the extreme ends of the spectrum. The first may only effect the next hour or so of our lives and mean we may not get all accomplished that we had planned on that day. The second changes the course of our lives and that of our families for, quite possibly, the remainder of our days here on earth. Each affects the world around us and involves the sharing of God's love with others.

Imagine you are Jonah... God has asked you to go to another city and give them a message straight from Him. This city isn't just any city either. It is Ninevah -- Israel's archenemy. Everything in Jonah tells him he should run the other direction (which, as we know, is exactly what he does). At the very least he feared they would laugh in his face. At the very worst, they could harm him or his homeland of Israel. (A biblical description of Ninevah can be found in Nahumn 3:1-19.)

What if they repented of their sins after hearing Jonah's preaching? That could lead to the success of these enemies of Israel. A example would be to imagine a NATO soldier being called to help the Taliban. Not something we're likely to see, huh?

Yet, that is exactly what God was calling Jonah to do. Go and offer to help the people of Ninevah. Go and tell them how they, too, can receive a 2nd chance. It goes strongly goes against how our very human feelings lead us to act, doesn't it? As humans, it is not always our first instinct to offer 2nd chances. Unfortunately, many times our first response is that we want to see our enemies hurt in the same way we hurt.

My kids have the DVD of the Veggie Tales version of Jonah's story. At the end, it tells us that "God is a God of second chances". As Christians we know that to be true, but do we extend that same grace to our enemies? Do we want to be a party to our enemies receiving that same grace?

I have always believed God's grace and mercy extended to EVERYONE... even to our mightiest of enemies. However, what if God asked me to go to my mightiest enemy and proclaim God's love? What is God asked me to go and share of a love so strong and so powerful and so full of grace that they too could experience eternal life? What would I do?

How about you? What would you do? What if you were that NATO soldier being asked to go help the Taliban?

The "Full Story"

Have you ever been afraid if you follow God completely that He might take you to the place you like the least?  Have you ever felt you can't trust God?

My first semester in college, my family made a move to another state.  It was difficult for me -- I didn't want to live there and I fought it tooth and nail.  However, God had other plans.  Turns out it WAS the best place for me and my family.  I grew and I matured, both as a young adult and as a Christian.  I can guarantee that my parents and each of my sisters would say we are where we are now because of that move.  That experience shaped us and formed us into the people we are today.

What I couldn't see initially, though, was the big picture.  All I saw was that I was being asked to move away from all my friends.  I was being told that I was now living in a big and unfamiliary city instead of the small town where I had graduated from high school.  The physcial move actually happened during my first semester in college..... I went home for Thanksgiving to a place I had never been before and I place I did not want to be.

The big picture, though?  God knew there was a particular church there just waiting for me.  A church full of special people that pulled me in (and, in the beginning, they literally pulled!), they befriended me, and they loved me.  They supported me as I graduated college and started my first job, moved into my first apartment (along with another dear friend I had met in that church) and as I met my future husband and moved away to be closer to him.  They supported me in my Christian walk and prayed with me. Thru that first job I had out of college, God gave me many experiences that helped me to grow.  And, he even led me to my husband in that first job in that city I never wanted to move to in the first place.

God proved himself faithful, full of grace and compassion.  He showed me that above all He loved me and only had my best interests in mind.  But, I first had to allow God to work and I had to get a few miles or so down the road in the journey to see the full story.

The story of Jonah is like that, too.  If we only look at the first chapter, we see a God that tells Jonah to go to a city he didn't like and to warn people he didn't like of impending judgment.  Jonah runs the other way and winds up in the belly of a whale.  From that alone, we don't see what many would perceive to be a loving God, do we?

But, if we read on to the end and get the full story, we see a God that is loving and compassionate, full of grace and mercy.  In Jonah 4:2 we read of a God that is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment" .



I've started a study on the book of Jonah and am looking forward to all God has for me as I read more about the "big picture".  I hope you'll join me as I study and share.  I'm planning to start out by reading the full book of Jonah, then diving a little deeper into shorter passages one at a time.  I'm using the study guide from the "Coffee Cup Bible Series" by Sandra Glahn entitled "Kona with Jonah".

I'll be back next week with some more after I've read the "full story"! :)

A Plan and a Promise

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Jeremiah 29:11


It's so easy to get caught up in the things we don't like about our lives, isn't it? It's so easy to ask God why --

• Why must we struggle financially?
• Why can't my job be less stressful?
• Why can't life be less "busy"?
• Why must I struggle with this illness?  disease?  loss of a loved one?

The questions can go on and on.

What we fail to see, though, is that while today, tomorrow, next month, or next year may be less than ideal.... there is a purpose for it all.  We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, that we fail to realize there is a bigger picture.  A bigger picture that may never be fully defined for us, but a bigger picture nonetheless.  A bigger picture that God sees and that God leads us toward each and everyday if we will only follow.

It is that picture for which I am thankful this week.  I might not always like where God has me at any given moment -- it may be hard and it may not be fun -- but I know that His plans have a purpose that promises me hope and prosperity.  I may never know the full "big picture", but I can rest assured that God knows and that I can trust Him regardless of where I may be in the "day-to-day".


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".

East or West, Home is Best

Last week I spent 4 days in Georgia and this week I'm in California for 4 days. Next week, I'll be back east in Massachusetts for 4 days, I'll then in Missouri for two days (actually, not even quite that long) and then I'll be back in California for 2 days.

In between each trip, I'll be home in Texas for a day or two, maybe three depending on the week. Each place is great as each state is beautiful, the people I encounter are kind and so easy to work with... or, in the case of the trip to Missouri I get to spend time with family that I don't see nearly as often as I would prefer.

However, what has stood out to me the most is that, whether I am east or I am west or I am right in the middle of the country, Home is Best. And, I don't mean the state of Texas when I say that. Oh, yes... there are many things about Texas that I love. But, when I say "HOME" I mean the home I have with my husband and children.

God has truly blessed me with the family he has given to me. I couldn't ask for more. I have always felt so blessed to have the parents, sisters, extended family that God gave me. Since I got married almost 14 years ago (our anniversay is next week!) God has shown me even more in the way of family blessings.

He has given me a husband that is so kind and loving. Regardless of what I might say or do... his love is unconditional. He supports me in all that I do and follows that with helping me in any way that he can. He loves our children dearly and is involved in every aspect of their lives. I don't travel for work too often, but when I do as I have lately, he takes care of everything back home without a worry or a complaint. I certainly miss them all when I'm gone, but I don't have to worry. I know he's got it all under control.

God has given two of the most absolutely adorable, fun-filled, sweet kids ever (I know, I know.. all Moms say that, but I REALLY mean it!.. smile).

Josh is my almost always positive child, who is easily excitable with the type of excitement that is just impossible to keep inside and hide from anyone. Such a joy... it is hard to be down when this kid is up!

Abby, my sweet and giving and easy to laugh little girl. She tells us she loves us at least a half a dozen times everyday... without fail. She shares her little heart openly and expresses such sweet concern for others... her teachers, schoolmates, friends... really anyone that she encounters.

As I sit in sunny California on this evening, I'm saying a special prayer of Thanksgiving for the "HOME" God has given me. I love you, my sweet family, and can't wait until I see you on Friday!



What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".