One Stone at a Time...

 I have said on here before that God's Plan is Perfect.  Every step you take, Every move you make, I will be watching you.  Ok I stole that line from the best stalker song in history from The Police.  I think Sting had some serious underlying issues but his music was impressive.  Amy and I have ran straight into some difficult decisions and situations here recently.  I won't bore you with details, but it's been a stormy season for sure.  We have been Praying for some guidance or removal of obstacles from our lives with what we thought was no response.  I now believe that we are receiving this response, but not all at once and it was set in motion before we even knew it.  Imagine a mountain set in front of you, and this is the next obstacle that you have to get past.  Now asking God to move this mountain so that we can pass more easily.  God can most definitely make that happen, however at this moment he has chosen to move this mountain One Stone at a Time.  God loves you and will help you, but He is also a Teacher.  There is a lesson to be taught about this obstacle and it's removal.  This is what makes our relation ship with God and Jesus so special.  You are not alone, and asking for help is necessary to move forward past your obstacles.  When you talk with God and Jesus you are building that relationship, making an unbreakable bond no matter what.  Learning that you need God in your life to remove those stresses, burdens, and obstacles from your pathway.  Amy has recently had a change in job, and this new opportunity has opened up valuable information that we wouldn't have had before.  This information is part of this Perfect Plan and is being used to help us past this obstacle set before us.  See my point is this happened months prior to us encountering this season in our lives.  God was preparing us for the obstacle coming, a Perfect Plan at work.  This is just one example of things set in motion before we knew why.  Trust in God because His Plan is Perfect, Have Faith that things are set in motion for a reason, Ask God for help with all obstacles.  Remember God will move mountains even if it's only One Stone at a Time.  

Reflection...Do You Like What You See?

 Reflection has a couple meanings, one is what you get in a shiny object like a mirror, the second would be Self Reflection, which is simply looking back at something about yourself.  These are my interpretations, take them with a grain of salt.  Yesterday was a tough day for my wife's family.  Saying goodbye to a loved one.  It's never easy, I unfortunately have a lot of experience in this.  As I'm getting ready for the services I see my Reflection in the mirror.  Wow, I am getting old.  The man I see looking back at me doesn't seem possible, but it's 100% me.  I feel sorry for my wife , but am Thankful that she Loves me.  This form of Reflection is the simplest form, and shows you what you look like to others daily.  While we are at the funeral services a few things were said that I felt were a little off in my belief of being a Man of God.  There is a very distinct possibility that I am wrong.  I talked with Amy and the boys about what was said.  I value others opinions and consider all options whenever I can.  What was said was nothing bad just a difference in perspective on Our Father.  The funny thing is that God showed me something later that day that made me take another look at myself.  This is where my second definition starts, Self Reflection.  This is the part of Reflection that I feel is most important.  Amy told me later that evening that Daniel was so happy to see that God had blessed her with someone like me.  Immediately I knew that even in a difference of opinion that I shouldn't be complaining or judging anyone.  Talk about a gut punch.  God Loves you but he has a way to humble you, and teach you a lesson at the same time.  Matthew 7 says "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."  This is a cliffs notes version but it hit me hard yesterday evening.  I have no right to judge anyone for anything because I too am a Sinner and Flawed.  When I looked back on this, No I didn't like what I saw looking back at me.  Only because of God's Grace do I get to say I'm sorry and Thank You for the Self Reflection and adjustment of Perspective.  I make mistakes and Sin daily, but God will never turn his back on me.  He is a Loving Father and will give you His Love and Mercy Unconditionally.  Perhaps with enough Self Reflection your daily Reflection to others will change.  You can show people your True Self, A Child of God.  

Loss of a Loved One...

 Early this morning Amy's Grandmother passed.  This was no a surprise honestly.  She was 85 and had been having some serious issues for awhile now.  Still a Loss is never an easy thing.  I think the best way to sum this up was said by one of Amy's aunts.  She said, "That Mom wasn't really living, she was just existing."  I believe this is exactly right, A perfect statement in my opinion.  Loss on any level is never easy, and it's not supposed to be.  The pain, and emptiness felt tells you that you Loved that person.  There will be a period of time that any thoughts about her will still hurt, but with time comes healing and then the memories become something to make you smile and laugh.  Everyone mourns differently, and this is ok.  You are human and mourning the Loss of a Loved One is normal, but you can't let it control you,.  I am always about perspective on here, so lets look at this a little differently.  She was saved, and now is reunited with loved ones she had lost previously, including her husband and siblings.  I can only imagine what that will look like one day.  Seeing Family and Friends long since passed.  Even as awesome as that will be let's not forget that you will be face to face with The Father and Jesus.  I don't think there is a word to really describe how that will be.  The things that you will see and experience have to be breathtaking.  The questions that can finally be answered, no more pain, no more just existing.  Joining that Heavenly House Party, and doing The Robot with Jesus sounds like a pretty good celebration to me.  Thank God for the time you spent with her, and Praise Him for taking care of Her through everything.  Loss is Painful for us left behind, but for Grandma Strole there is now peace.  We will see you again one day.  

Random Thoughts...

 Today might feel a little different and that's ok.  I have my squirrel moments just like anyone else.  Sometimes I sit around thinking of some crazy stuff.  I have Faith that one day I will be welcomed into Heaven, if that happens what will we really look like?  We have an eternal soul, but does it have a eternal look to it?  My next thought could be a difficult one.  Amy was married before she and I met and fell in Love.  Scott died from Covid.  No I didn't know him, but in Heaven will Amy be with him again or me?  This is a question that I ask God all the time.  I love her with all my heart, but I'm sure Scott did as well.  Now what about family or friends who were not saved and allowed to enter Heaven.  Revelation 21:4 states "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  Do we just forget about the loved ones who are now suffering for all eternity?  I don't know, but I do know this one scares me and hurts my heart.  I ask God everyday to help my children, because they are not strong in Faith or a believer in Jesus Christ.  I have failed them in every way because of this.  I try every opportunity to plant those seeds.  I have Faith that one day they will take hold in my kids Hearts.  What could Heaven actually look like?  I would be willing to bet that if you ask 100 people what Heaven to them would be, you would get 100 different answers.  Now think about how the generations of people has changed.  In biblical times a nice tent, some comfortable sandals from Jordan (i.e. Jesus Wore Jordans), a roaring fire and food to eat might be perfect.  Now, if you go a day without air conditioning and your smart phone people wouldn't know what to do.  Something to think about.  Here is some advice I would give, if you haven't given your life to God and Jesus then what are you waiting for?  Tomorrow isn't promised, it could be one day too late.  Without that Faith in God and his Grace, The love of Jesus none of these random questions would matter.  No one would ever be with the Father.  Only through Jesus Christ can you be with the Father in Heaven.  Welcome The Lord into your Heart, and your life while you have the opportunity to do so.  Pray for all, because we all need help.  My last Random Thought would be is it just me but sometimes when I am reading scripture my brain pictures God looking like Hulk Hogan.  Lol.  I know I'm an idjit, Brother.  

Only One True King...

 This world is broken, that's clear.  I'm not going to make this about politics or anything like that.  I don't play that game, I put my Faith in God regardless.  I will comment on a few things going on though.  Everything going on in this world is just proving more and more that we need God now more than ever.  War in the middle east, power struggles on who has the biggest ego or military, violence in our streets all across our nation.  Here is what I see.  Take a breath and just look around you.  These things going on are fulfilling Biblical Prophecy.  Yes it's scary to be living in these times.  I would suggest that you prepare yourselves for it to get much worse.  Prepare yourselves spiritually, God is the Only One who can finally bring this all to an end, and he will.  I was looking at this No Kings protest stuff and what I see is a hidden agenda.  Satan wants you to believe that there are no Kings until He comes to "save us all".  This is a lie, He is quite skilled at this. Our nation doesn't have a King no matter what people would say.  There are countries that do and an earthly King is a King of nothing, just ash and dust.  Now there is Only One True King, He is of this earth but also Heaven.  He is The King of Kings, Jesus Christ.  When The True King Returns, All Knees will bow and recognize Him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  This is a promise from The Father.  This Day will be glorious for some and terrifying to others.  The status of the world today is still part of God's Perfect Plan.  One day we will look back and see how perfect it was.  Put your Faith in The One and Only True King of Kings Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  Repent of your sins, Praise Him and let Him change you.  Using you to change others, making disciples of all.  Place your Faith in God and Thank Him for Everything.  

Selling of a Soul...

 I know you have heard people say this, probably more in a movie or television show.  I would like to think that this wouldn't be a day to day topic at the walmart while grocery shopping.  Lets take a look into what this consists of really.  What is a soul?  In my opinion a soul is the gift of life given to you by God that makes you so special.  This inner light that makes you the person that you are.  The life force that one day will either join God and Jesus in the Greatest Backyard BBQ of all time, or you can go to Hell with Satan and His demons and you are the BBQ.  The choice is actually yours, and a simple Thank you will start you on the path to that amazing celebration.  Can you imagine what that BBQ pit has to look like?  Ok all kidding aside this really is a serious topic, Hell is real and you will suffer for all eternity without God.  The actual selling of a soul is glamorized by hollywood and in all honesty can't happen.  Let me explain, Satan is the great deceiver.  He is the best salesman on this earth.  You want to know what he sells so much of??  LIES!!!  He is quite skilled at convincing people of almost anything.  Satan has no real power, just suggestion and lies.  He has even convinced many that if you "Sell Him your Soul" he can grant you anything that you could ever want.  Now this gets a little tricky.  Satan can give you possessions, money, and even limited power.  Not power like super powers but perhaps a higher position within a company.  You get the idea.  This is all promised to you in return for your soul and turning your back on God and worshipping him.  Satan desires attention, and worship.  This is part of what caused his Fall from Grace.  The key to this whole plan of His isn't the acquisition of your Soul, but you turning from God.  This is the great trick because when you turn from God you setting yourself on a path you don't want.  The great news is that even if you have done this so far in your life, God and Jesus still Love You.  You are not condemned, or cursed because of Satan's Lies.  The Whole Truth is This "You Cannot Sell Something That Doesn't Actually Belong To You."  Your Soul belongs to God and God only.  He decides in the end what happens to it.  Like I said Satan has no power, He knows this.  So if you feel like God has turned His back on you because of choices you have made, FEAR NOT, God will never give up and turn His back on you.  His Grace covers everyone.  Jesus' Love, Mercy, and Blood have washed you clean.  Start changing your life and the lives of others by a simple Thank You to God for not abandoning you.  We are all a Child of God.  Believe this, you are no longer a slave to fear because of this.  Can you actually Sell Your Soul?  The answer to that is a Definitive and Resounding NO, it doesn't actually belong to you.  Praise God at all times, even just a simple Thank You.  It's really that easy to do.  What are you waiting for, that Heavenly BBQ is waiting for you.  (Those smoked ribs have got to be amazing).

A Perfect Loving Father.

 With Father's Day quickly approaching this felt like a good time for this one.  I am a Father of two girls, Step Father of three boys.  Step Grandfather of two.  Not sure if that's really a title but today it is.  They have all brought me great joy and have showed me more love than I deserve.  I do my best to be Loving and Caring, but I am far from Perfect.  I make mistakes and lose my temper at times.  Sometimes they can just drive me nuts and I have to walk away for a bit and process the situation.  Father's Day is tough one for the all the boys and grandkids because their true Father and Grandfather is no longer here for them.  I know this is tough on them but they continue on, moving forward with their lives as best they can.  I will never replace Scott in their lives, and I don't try to.  I just want to be there when they need some help or advice, hopefully I give some good advice and it is helpful.  Words can be cheap if there is no backing it up.  Our Father is a Loving, Caring, and Merciful.  He extends a Grace to us that none of us deserve.  Loves us unconditionally.  His advice is Perfect every time.  Our Father backs up all this in a book unlike any other in existence, The Holy Bible.  This Bible is full of answers if you take the time to look for them.  Keep in mind the answers will cause you to have to take a look at yourself more closely.  We are all sinners but that's no excuse to go intentionally sin.  No matter how hard we try, sin is a part of our lives. The only man to never sin was Jesus Christ and he is Perfect.  Only because of His sacrifice  are our sins forgiven.  His Blood paid a debt that we could never have done.  Your works here on earth will not get you a ticket to the greatest show in Heaven, but a Soft Heart for Others, Belief that Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus died on that Cross and Saved us, and Repentance of your sins will get you entrance.  It really is that simple.  What are you waiting for???  Take a deeper look inside and start that conversation with The Father and see how He works in your life through you.  God is there to give you help and listen to your problems or questions even though he already knows what they are.  A Perfect Loving Father God truly is.  Praise Him, Love Him, and be Thankful of all the Blessings you have been given because of His Grace.  

What If...

 Everyone in this world has always asked the question of What If.  It could be for anything. A lactose intolerant person might ask What If I just have one small Frosty from Wendy's.  I would guess the consequences might be severe but a Frosty might be worth it.   I remember receiving a penny stock newsletter in the mail many years ago and seeing a new startup company using the internet as a new auction site.  The price was not even pennies to invest.  I asked myself how could a company govern a site like that and chose not to invest.  This later was named Ebay.  Wow do I feel like an idiot.  What If I had invested a small amount of money in that startup?  How would my life be today?  Would I still have ended up where I am today?  My answer to that is a resounding No.  I was led to where I am today by all the things I have experienced in my lifetime, everything I have felt, endured, and suffered through have shaped me into the man I am today.  I have never been happier than I am right now.  My life with Amy is special.  It doesn't come without it's share of struggles, we call him Tropical Storm Eli.  I'm kidding, Eli can be trying at times but he is a great kid with potential that he hasn't realized yet.  Now let's dive a little deeper.  What If after Adam and Eve ate that apple God became so enraged and destroyed this place we call home?  What if God didn't send His One and Only Son to earth to save us from our Sins?  Let those two things sink in.  Where would we be right now?  I believe this world is tearing itself apart, now imagine a world without God's Grace, Mercy, and Love.  It would literally be Hell on Earth.  Here is the amazing part to this story, God doesn't deal in What If's only absolutes.  He sets things in motion with Intent and Purpose, knowing fully what the outcome will be.  This is what I call the Plan, and it's perfect.  Today we should all take a look at our lives and ask What If I don't run to God for his Love and Mercy?  How different would my life be?  What If I do run to God for his help?  How different then would things be?  I know the difference, Do You??  

Have You Ever Felt That Conviction???

 First let me say that when I am talking about conviction I am not talking about state or federal incarceration.  That would be a different kind just in case you were curious.  It's been my experience that a Spiritual Conviction comes when you least expect it, but exactly when you need it most.  We have recently had a couple things pop up and bite us in the butt lately.  For the first time in my life I feel like this situation hasn't caused me to over react.  Honestly I have felt this coming for a long time.  I turned to God and asked for Help.  Even though I don't have the answer yet, I have a calm and comfort in me that everything will work out.  This might be the first time that I actually ran to God with my problem and not away from him.  Amy didn't respond the same way.  This is no knock on my wife, she is amazing, but she is human, and anxiety can get the best of you sometimes.  This situation triggered some old feelings and memories in her that simply overwhelmed her.  I get it sweetheart, I really do.  We have been trying to work the problem, but with Gods Help and Guidance.  Sunday we are sitting in Church listening to Brandon deliver his sermon (which btw was excellent) and he mentions that you don't see the plan or path laid before you until you are already on it.  This is my interpretation of it.  You don't know or understand the choices laid before you until later on down the road.  Hindsight is 20/20.  When you reflect on things you see why things happened the way they did.  This was a huge Spiritual Conviction for both of us and we understood this at about the same time.  Does this change our current situation?  No, but it changes the perspective on why it is happening and how we are approaching it.  Letting Jesus Take The Wheel and having Faith that He will Guide Us to where we are supposed to be.  Wherever that may be.  You need to let go of That Wheel, Let Jesus take Control and Thank Him for the help.  Listen to everything going on around you, paying attention to even the little details.  God is talking to you right now, waiting for your response with uncanny Patience.  All you need to do is listen and follow Him.  Start a conversation with Him.  Have Faith that God has your back and would never lead you astray.  

Working The Problem...

 In my life I have encountered a lot of problems, all have probably been caused by me in some way.  Earlier this week Amy and I were given a new problem in our lives.  I'm not going to go into specifics but no it's not life threatening.  I have learned the hard way that the only way to start Working The Problem is through God and God only.  I have stated before that I believe that God gives us just a little more than we can handle so that we have to ask for help from The Father.  I also believe that everything is all part of His Perfect Plan.  When those problems arise you need to run to God and ask for help, guidance, wisdom, or even a removal of obstacles.  Something to that point in your conversations with Him.  You may not receive the answer you wanted, in most cases this seems to be true in my opinion.  We all need a course correction because we are all sinners and stray from that path.  This is what it really means to be human.  We are flawed and make mistakes, but the good news is that no matter what you say or do God will Forgive you and not judge you for it.  Things will come and go in this world, what remains is God's Grace, Jesus and his Undeniable Love , and The Holy Spirit continuing to Guide everyone back to the Righteous Path.  Three in One, God The Father, God The Son, God The Spirit.  God loves people like us, all you have to do is run to him, ask for help, repent of your sins and change your life.  Problems will occur, this I can guarantee you.  Start Working The Problem not by yourself, but with God's help.  He has your back.  Never lose your Faith in that simple statement.  

A Joyful Noise...

 Making a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord is used in the Bible multiple times, I think at least three times however I could be wrong on that.  He wants us to Make This Noise in Praise of Him.  It's pretty clear cut in the Bible stated that way.  Sometimes I feel sorry for the noise I make in Chuch Praising the lord.  I try, but I have never been a great vocalist of any kind.  I could just Imagine the look on God and Jesus' faces when I really miss those notes.  You ever had a child sing something, and missing those notes so badly , but you are still happy, and proud of them for the time and effort put into the preformance.  Probably something like that I guess.  I have become a fan of the music of Brandon Lake.  Sometimes his voice and range can affect me in such a way to trigger some serious emotions.  I love his music and I wish my Joyful Noise was more like his.  He has a true gift in my opinion.  Check him out if you haven't already.  He did some collaborations with a Church Group called Elevation Gospel.  I think the music is fantastic, however some people attack Elevation for different things.  Honestly I feel like if the music is praising God what does it matter?  I will say though the full choir in the background is a little over the top, but its great.  Reminds me of a Steve Martin movie called Leap of Faith.  It's a story about a con man who uses The Gospel to get wealthy, but spoiler a real miracle happens and changes his life.  I can't explan why but that movie really hits me hard.  Back to the point of this story today.  God doesn't care how you praise him, just that you do.  You can have an Angelic voice or be off key and horrile like me, He loves it all.  Praise him in anyway that you can, even if it hurts the ears of the people around you.  I love that jacket btw.  Lol.