Remaining To Win The Prize!

As a child, I remember my teachers giving instructions before beginning my work, especially during competency tests.  "Circle in the bubble completely and do not make any stray marks outside the circle", my teacher would say.  And then she would repeat herself to make sure we understood.  Today, if I am trying to get a point across to my kids, I will repeat myself two or three times and then ask them to repeat to me what I have said to make sure they understand and "get my point". 

This morning, I found myself in the gospel of John reading the following passage (and this is all in red by the way):

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.  Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.  Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.  But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" John 15:4-7

In these 4 verses, did you notice a word Jesus seemed to keep saying over and over?  I did: remain.  In just 4 verses, He used remain 7 times!  You think He was trying to make a point?!?  I believe so!

So I went to my handy, dandy dictionary app to look up the meaning of remain and this is what I found: to continue in the same state; to stay behind or in the same place; to be left after the removal, loss, destruction, etc.; to be left to be done, told, shown, etc.  

Lamentations 3:23 says: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."  Each morning, God remains faithful to us to pour out His love and grace on us so we can "make it" each day being graceful and loving towards others.  But sometimes WE aren't so faithful to go to Him to receive that love and grace EACH AND EVERY DAY.  We don't REMAIN in Him because we are too busy with our own lives to bother!  (Ouch, that last comment hurts a little doesn't it)!  But it is TRUE, even for ME!

Think about it like this: you get a call from a local car dealer letting you know that your name has been randomly selected out of a phonebook to win a new car.  You are pretty pumped up about it because you have done absolutely nothing to deserve the car (you didn't even have to stop by and sign a piece of paper with your number on it so you could be hounded by a salesperson)!  So the brand-spanking new car is sitting down at the local dealership waiting on you to take it home but you never take the time to go by and pick it up because you're "too busy" with other things!  

Now that sounds a little crazy doesn't it?!?  I mean who in their right mind would leave a brand-spanking new FREE car on a lot?  I can answer that question: NO ONE!  Why?  Because even if you didn't like the car or need the car, you would go get it, sell it and put the money in your pocket, right?  Or maybe you are feeling a little generous and know a family in need so you give the car to them (does that happen much anymore)?  

You see, we have the winning ticket!  Not to the newest, hottest, most popular music artists concert; not to the Super Bowl; not even to the lottery; but the winning ticket to approach the One who created us so He can pour out His love and grace on us.  He is like the "guy or girl" that is anxiously awaiting the call from the person they are head over heels in love with; He is CRAZY about you!  

REMAIN in Him, and He will REMAIN in you.  You cannot be fruitful unless you REMAIN in Him.  Those who REMAIN in Him, and Him in them, will produce much fruit.  Anyone who does not REMAIN in Him is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  But if you REMAIN in Him and His Words REMAIN in you, you can ask for anything you want and it will be granted!

So will you continue in the same state and spend time with Him?  Will you stay behind or in the same place with Him?  Will you be left after the removal, loss, or destruction because you have remained with Him and you know He will see you through?  Are you willing to allow Him to show you what is left to be done; to be told or shown what He needs you to do?  Or will you remain with the life you are accustomed to and never go "claim your prize"?

Not Words With Friends, but words with friends

I don't know about you but I love "Words With Friends" on my iPad.  Basically, it is the electronic version of the board game Scrabble from long ago.  I wasn't much of a Scrabble fan when I was younger but the "gaming industry" can make almost anything fun!  Anyway, I am far from a pro at it (ask my man) but I do like to try and fit words together to see what I can come up with.  And seven out of ten times, I have no idea what the word I have "made" means!  Anyway, it is entertaining and I can waste A LOT of time playing.

But "Words With Friends" isn't my main topic for this post.  Rather, it is words with friends and family.  I have been thinking an awful lot about how we, as humans, speak to each other and how our words can ever so delicately hurt others.  Not long ago I was talking with someone who had gotten their feelings hurt by a comment that someone had made towards them.  Now the person was not intentionally meaning to hurt my friends feelings but they were just "poking fun".  What the person didn't realize, was the "poke" or "words" happened to be a sensitive issue with my friend because of uncontrolled circumstances in her life. 

You see, many times we have no idea what is going on in the lives of those around us.  And it might just be that our "poke" hits a wounded part of their heart and a snipit of their soul is shaved away.  Sometimes, it is so difficult to sensitive to others, especially when WE are in a "good mood" and are trying to be a comedian! 
In no way am I saying we should always be solemn and never "poke fun" at people, I am just saying it would probably be wise if we would THINK a bit about what we say (or write for that matter) before letting it roll off of our tongues!  

Now, I am the poster child for ADD and do not mind whatsoever about others poking fun at me, heavens, I poke fun at myself (which actually I say it ISN'T ADD, it is the mind of God - I am just NOT omnipresent like Him so that makes me somewhat scattered) but some people are very sensitive to the issue!  But, I have had my feelings hurt a time or two from "pokes" about other things that were a little sensitive to me but I always remember that whoever it is that has made the comment has no clue what is going on in my life at the time and I am the one who has to get over it!  By all means, DO NOT HARBOR THE HURT AND UNFORGIVENESS or it will consume you (yes, I am speaking from experience)!  Plus, we can't rely on our feelings to tell us how we are suppose to feel, we have to rely on The Word of God (and if it isn't a GOOD and POSITIVE feeling, then it isn't from God)!

So, with that said, let go of the hurt from "words with friends", and go get your i(Pad, Pod, Phone, etc.) and play "Words With Friends"!  That game can make you forget your worries because you're too consumed with trying to figure out a "word" that is worth at least 50 points with the seven scrammbled letters given to you by the game! 

Catch you next time! 

Peace to you my friends!  

A Dose of the "Good Stuff"

Dog tired is not even the word; I am plain ol' WORN OUT!  But a good kind of worn out.  I've just returned from yet another (shorter) mission trip with the youth and can I just tell you I love those guys and gals so stinking much!  They are all a HOOT to hang with and some of THE BEST young men and women I know!

For the last couple of days, we have served as counselors at Touched By An Angel Ministries in Tupelo, MS.  God spoke to Brian Aldridge many years ago about starting a camp for those with disabilities who may not have an opportunity to attend a "church camp".  Thankfully, Brian was obedient to God and answered the call to minister to those in need.  He, along with his precious wife, Jenna Leigh, and his adorable parents, founded TBAAM.  The website to TBAAM is http://www.tbaam.org/.  When you have time, you should check it out and see what great things are going on over in Tupelo!

Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures with you of our last couple of days while we were serving there:

We did a lot of smiling...

and some dancing...

and some slipping and sliding...

 



 and we even had some super-heros, celebrities and the like show up...



but most of all we laughed and had ALOT of fun with our campers...

And as Proverbs 17:22 says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."   I reckon we have had a good dose of medicine the last couple days so our souls should be well!  Thank You LORD for the laughter and joy!