Testing

Testing.  Testing. Testing system upgrade

Integrity Pays!

2 Kings 12:15 (TLB) – “No accounting was required from the construction superintendents, for they were honest and faithful men”.
   I remember as a child going to the orchards in southwestern Michigan to pick apples and berries. Our family might drive up on weekend mornings and make a whole day out of exploring nature and picking the fresh fruit. On some trips when we arrived the owners might be gone or about ready to leave and they would set bushel barrels out for us to fill. When we finished our harvesting and were ready to check out we simply packed the fruit into paper sacks, left the money in a tin box on the table and left. It was a time when people trusted their neighbor and their regular customers.
   We live in a time now when honesty is such a rarity it is hard to trust many to give a ‘square’ deal of getting what you pay for, not to mention to be honest about money exchange. In the scripture we are reminded that the men in question had such a reputation for being upright and honest that when work was done those responsible for contracting the work knew that these men in particular could be trusted.
   We need to live our lives and be upfront, upright and just in our dealings with everyone so that we too have a reputation to be trusted. We all fall short of doing the right thing all the time; so I know it is only the working of the Holy Spirit within us that allows us to walk humbly before our God.
   Seek to be the best representative of God’s goodness by telling the truth, dealing with people in an open and friendly manner and not scheming to have your own interest always be the first thing that you consider. With these parameters Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and that includes being honest and standing by our word.
   Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Don’t’ be distracted; stay on your purpose! Have an awesome weekend and enjoy a spirited worship service with your church family. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Everything Must Change!

Job 1:12 – (ERV)  Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

As with most things in life; change comes at the most unexpected time and usually from the most expected places.  This week concludes the final examination period for my spring semester course.  And of course just in time to make me crazy I get an update about required testing modalities that must be incorporated in my final evaluation.   In essence instead of the test that I have designed for my students, I must administer a departmental test as well.

I am reminded of the life of Job, when God allowed the devil to test Job’s resolve and resilience.  Job was stated to be a righteous man and had to adjust his daily routine in alignment with the test put upon him by the devil.  He had an unexpected change come upon him; but it was from an expected place.  He knew God was in control of everything. He knew about the wiles of the devil; in his daily prayers he sought protection for himself and his children against anything that might ensnare them.  Just like Job, I know my students will adjust to the changes and perform well. 

What things have changed in your agenda that causes you to have to regroup and redirect your normal routine or thinking?  Remember that change is inevitable and with change God is right there making sure to meter out plenty of grace and mercy to see you through the transition.  Hold on…  the ride might be a bit bumpy at first; but God has a way of leveling off the snags; smoothing out the edges and making sure that the changes that bombard our lives draw us closer to him and more resilient in our faith.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!  Don’t be distracted; stay on your purpose. Be blessed. Dr. JoAnn

Impostor Alert

1 John 1:9 (KJV) – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

      Each of us has an appointed mission and God’s gifts, talents and our acquired skills are all a part of the formula for us to use in completing the work that we have been assigned.  Our journeys may be different and the ease or difficulty may range from rosy to stifling, but nevertheless God is in control and his grace is sufficient for our purposes.

      When we take on God’s job and many of us do on a daily basis, God is a gentleman and he will take his hands off and step aside.  He will not fight you to take care of you.  He will not argue or be belligerent.  When we step outside of our anointing and cozy up to things that are not a part of our concern we derail and possibly endanger ourselves, our progress and our success.  As we know in physics and geometry, a simple change in an angle at the beginning can lead to a wide variation or distortion at the end.  I have learned to not take the reins out of God’s hands for the devil will take those very lead lines and try to wrap them around our own necks until we will feel choked and subdued. Let God be God and don't be an impostor.

     Thank you God for loving us so much that you not only sent your son to redeem us and solidity our salvation, but you allow us to surrender our lives to you.  Thank you for taking such awesome care of us. We confess our sin of trying to be in control and we are grateful that as today’s scripture says – you are faithful in forgiving and cleansing.  Use us Lord; use us for your glory.

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!  Don’t be distracted; stay on your purpose. Be blessed. Dr. JoAnn

Just Checking In

Acts 14:36 – “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.” (NIV)

   When was the last time you called a friend or family member just to check on them? Not wanting or needing them for anything; just to see how they are doing and if they need any assistance? Well today think about a friend or family member you have not talked with for a while and give them a call.  It does not have to be formal or even long; just do as Paul and Barnabas illustrate in today’s scripture and see how they are and let them know they are remembered. If there is something you can help with offer to be of assistance.  Offer to pray with and for them and then before you end the conversation be sure to let them know how you feel about the specialness of the relationship. If they live close enough, schedule a time to see them face-to-face in the near future.  Life is too short to let time separate us from those we care about.  Make the call.

    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose.  Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

Down But Not Out!

Acts 13:19-20 – “¹⁹ Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.” (NIV)

   The scripture for today highlights quite a few messages about the ministerial journeys of Paul and Barnabas but in particular I want to emphasize that being pushed down does not mean that you are out of the game.  When Paul and Barnabas shared the Gospel with the Jewish leaders in Antioch and Iconium, they were not well received; so they turned their message to the Gentiles who hungrily accepted the word and converted to follow Jesus as Lord.  This of course angered the Jewish leaders who conspired against Paul and Barnabas and turned the remaining crowd into a death-dealing mob who stoned Paul.

    It appeared that this was the end; or at least they thought so.  But the disciples gathered around and Paul got up.  Although it is not readily recorded in the text I am sure the in-dwelling Holy Spirit protected him.  They assumed him to be dead, but he rose to his feet.  He was revived enough that he went back into the city on his own power.  He was not carried in on a stretcher or laid across the back of a mule or donkey. The lesson for us and the wonderful part of this is that he didn’t moan and groan and complain about his mistreatment and he didn’t stay in bed a week and go through a deep depression; he did not cower or hide out fearing for his life. The next day he got up early and was back on duty; he left and went to Derbe.  There he preached with such fire that he won many new converts.

   We all have assignments, missions, tasks, duties, responsibilities, etc. that bring us more grief it seems than pleasure; but the work that God has entrusted to us must go on no matter what.  If Paul can be stoned (nearly) to death, get up and go back to doing the same thing that got him beaten, surely we can keep going to the job (that’s paying us) and deal with the cranky boss, outrageous co-workers, mischievous students or insensitive customers or clients.  Yes, we may get our feelings hurt, be embarrassed or even get shut out but no matter what – just because we are down, we are not out.  Muster up the faith; remember your steps are ordered by God and he never leaves you so he is there with you through the hardships.  He trusts you to complete the work.  We might be feeling down, but we are not out…  Go get ‘em!

    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose.  Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

Our Victory Banner - Jehovah Nissi

Exodus 17: 15 – “ And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi”

     When Joshua led the Israelite army into battle against the Amalekites, Moses went upon a hill overlooking the battle field to pray.  As he held up his staff the Israelites were winning but as his arms tired and the staff lowered, the Amalekites would prevail.  Moses’ brother Aaron and Hur placed Moses on a rock and held his hands up until the battle was over and Israel was victorious. 

     God instructed Moses to write down the victory and repeat it to Joshua to give him encouragement for the future battles he would have to lead.  Moses called God Jehovah Nissi because God revealed himself as our banner, our victory.  He is the one who wins our battles. The story written down for Joshua benefits us as well so that we will remember it as we go into battle. There will always be war so don't be surprised by it. Just remember that God is always the winner.

     We are all confronted with battles throughout our lives.  What are you battling right now? Bitterness, injustice, devastating medical reports, loneliness depression, and financial downturns are just a few of the battles that rage endlessly and it might be hard to see the victory at the end. Remember and call upon Jehovah Nissi. Raise your hands in prayer the way Moses did and don't give up. God is faithful to fulfill his word. When your battle is over you can raise the banner of God’s victory high for all to see and proclaim that Jehovah Nissi is your God who has secured your victory.

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose. Have a great weekend.  See you on Monday.  Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

Our Peace - Jehovah Shalom

Judges 6:24 –“ Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”
     Everywhere we turn there is bad news. I stopped listening to local news reports because they all seem to want to stimulate the senses by highlighting the ills and depravity of society. We all know the world has gone nuts, but we also know that our peace is secured through our faith in Jesus Christ.
     When Jesus prayed over his disciples he told them “peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) We have this same assurance today. When things just seem to spiral out of control and all we want is for the craziness to cease; we can rest assured that Jesus’ peace abides and we simply must trust and rest in his love. His peace is always there; he gave it to us and told us to guard our hearts.
     If we focus on the problems, they can become overwhelming. Jesus tells us that his peace is always available. Write down an issue that is irritating you now; mark through it and write the word “peace” over it. Meditate on it and watch as God provides a sense of relief and joy. It will amaze you how wonderful it feels to take your eyes off of the issues and know that God is handling the problem while you enjoy his peace.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose. Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

Our Ever Present Help - Jehovah Shammah

Hebrews 13:4-5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”[ 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
   In my childhood my dad and I loved to watch old spaghetti westerns and I remember the famous showdown scenes where the gunslingers would meet at high noon for a shoot-out. Often the conflict started with one group in opposition to another at the local saloon. Everyone would be talking a bunch of junk, a bar fight would breakout and tables and chairs and fists flew everywhere. When the dust finally settled all the rabble rousers had fled the scene and there stood the lone sheriff who had to defend the sanctity of the entire town when everyone else had left.
    Isn’t it good to know that no matter what type of situation we are in or about to face God never leaves us standing alone. We never really have to fight the good fight either…we just need to put on our whole armor and show up. The battle belongs to God and he never backs down.
    Whatever force seems to be pressing you into either fight or flight do not be dismayed for our God never leaves nor forsakes us. And not only does he stand his ground with us; but he brings goodies. Remember, he prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Do not be afraid of the arrows by day or the crafty uncertainties that creep in from the darkness of the evil one – know and trust that God is ever present. He is Jehovah Shammah.
    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose. Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

Our Healer

Exodus 15:26 -  He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”

     A few months ago every pharmacists and drugstore in town urged citizens to take flu shots to ward off any potential threats from various influenza viruses.  Health professionals announced that although there were no guarantees, the vaccines were the best deterrents available to guard our health from any impending epidemics. 

     God gives us a little more assurance in his word by instructing us to heed his commandments. By keeping his statues he promises to guard us against diseases.  If we listen to his commandments about promiscuous behavior, we decrease our potential to contract sexually transmitted diseases.  When we care for our body hygiene as he commands, we diminish the growth of organisms which can lead to anything from cavities in our teeth to fungus under our nails.  As we listen and keep God’s laws we eliminate the possibility of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and becoming victims of crime and violence.

    God is Jehovah Rapha, Our Healer - so even if we become victims of problems, God is faithful in resolving our pains and aches and restoring our health in accordance to his will and purpose.  By the stripes of Jesus… we are healed.   

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose.  Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

Our Provider

      Genesis 22:13-14 – “13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.”
     God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son as a means to test his devotion. Abraham relied upon his faith that God would not allow his lineage to stop. All-in-all this biblical story reminds us that God provides for our every need including answers to life’s test that might seem daunting.
     Are you facing a situation where it seems the resources are just not enough or anywhere in reach? Do you feel like you are squeezed between doing what you know you should do and what you think you can afford to do? Has God instructed you to complete a task and it seems more like you are taking a risk? Do not be dismayed; but patiently push onward with what God leads you to do; do not focus on the outcome, just on the process.
     Abraham did not really want to kill his son, but he pushed through the process; took the journey, ascended the mountain, assembled the firewood and even raised the knife. God saw his faith and resolve and provided the sacrificial ram that Abraham would substitute for Isaac. Keep pushing onward with the commands of the Lord and watch as he provides all that you really need. Do not waiver or lose heart. God is our Jehovah jireh, Our Provider!
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose. Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn    

Taxing Issues

Matthew 22:17,21   “ Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”… ”And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  (NKJV)

     Yes, yes it is that time of year once again.  It is tax time.  Many have already filed their taxes electronically and probably have already spent most, if not all, of their tax refunds.  As federal and state tax laws change with the blink of an eye it is important that we stay up on the latest requirements. The best way to do this is to of course seek the assistance of knowledgeable tax experts.

     The Pharisees in today’s scripture reference inquired of Jesus about a tax issue, but unlike those of us who are seeking the best ways to get maximum refunds, they were trying to be deceptive and Jesus knew it.  We too must be on our guard.  When others try to use ordinary, everyday issues to confound, trick or manipulate us we must stay on top of our game.  Notice that Jesus answered their mischievous inquest by referring them back to rightful ownership… what is ironic is that everything belongs to God and he is gracious enough to allow us to enjoy the bounty of his creation.  

     The next time someone tries to be deceitful, and the Holy Spirit gives you discernment about the situation, don’t get mad, or anxious or disturbed; simply do as it says in Ephesians 6 and put on your whole armor. Take up the sword of the spirit which is the word of God (scripture) and go for the jugular. 

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay on your purpose.  Enjoy the weekend.  See you on Monday. Be blessed – Dr. JoAnn

In the Midst

Psalm 138:7- "Though I walk in the midst of trouble,you preserve my life;you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me."

    A few years ago a popular gospel song "In the Middle" chanted that while we are in the middle of our trouble we need to praise. When we see trouble on the horizon we must buffet the issue with prayer and praise as we brace for the onslaught.  When we 'see light at the end of the tunnel'; it is easy to lift our voices in joy that our trial is coming to an end; but the real Hallelujah moment is when we are in the midst of the storm.  What do we do when we are in the middle of the storm and it is black all around?  We might be tired from the trial, uncertain of the length of the struggle and possibly not seeing an end anywhere in sight; but our power comes from focusing on the might of our God and not the fight.

   Today I challenge you to take your eyes off of the conflicts in your life and narrow your gaze upon the Almighty God of Creation; he is in it to win it!

    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!  Don’t be distracted; stay focused on your purpose. Be   blessed! Dr. JoAnn

La, la, la, la, la

Genesis39:10 (ESV)- ” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.”

     I remember as a child when we did not want to hear what someone was trying to say to us we would clasp our hands over both of our ears and then we would start singing “la la la la la”.  Our hands served as fleshy ear muffs and our voices would make sure that we drowned out whatever it was we did not want to hear. The more they tried to make us listen, the louder we would sing.

      Today many of us need to adopt this same strategy when the devil is trying to whisper sweet nothings in our ears.  They drip with sweetness but they are full of nothing.  Like the scripture today reminds us, often the devil will come to us with enticing propositions; often using those closest to us to design our downfall. What might appear as harmless flirtation can mask dangerous and crippling consequences.

      Listen only to God; cover yourself with his promises and walk in his grace.  When you hear the murmuring of potential gossip about you, ignore it.  When you sense that something is too good or too easy to be believed; don’t believe it.  When you know that the words being said to you will change the relationship you have with your spouse, children, boss, colleagues and most importantly your relationship with God – clasp both of your hands over your hears and start singing – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

     Every day is a good day: it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!.  Don’t be distracted; stay focused on your purpose. Have a wonderful weekend.  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Do It Right the First Time

Jonah 3:1(NIV) – “When the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

It took a storm; being thrown overboard; time inside the belly of a fish and finally being vomited out on shore for Jonah to get the picture that when God has a job for you it is best to do it right the first time.  Jonah as given a specific assignment and instead of doing as God requested; he took it upon himself to change God’s mind.  Needless to say, as the scripture for today proves, he finally came to his senses and when the instructions came to him a second time, he obeyed.

When God gives you a task to complete; a person to interact with; a destination to visit or even a simple phone call to make – DO IT!.  When given a directive from the Creator it is not a chore – it is a privilege.  God created everything from nothing and surely can make any task that he requires complete itself without our help; but he trusts us enough to get us involved for our own best interest.  Reevaluate something that you know is on your must-do agenda and find a way to prioritize it back to the top of your list.  Keep God’s business on the forefront.  Is it time to offer an apology? Do you need to return something that you have kept too long?  Need to talk with someone on the behalf of another?  Do you need to request more time to settle an issue?  Don’t procrastinate another day.  Don’t get swallowed up in the moment and end up in the dark.  Let’s not let God have to tell us twice.  Any of you faithful readers who are parents know how frustrating it is to have to tell your children more than once to follow your instructions. Let’s strive to do it right the first time. 

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day.  Don’t be distracted; stay focused on your purpose. Be blessed!.   Dr. JoAnn

Protected

John 10:28 (ESV)- “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

      It is a familiar sight – seeing a parent firmly grasping the hand of a child as the child tries to worm their way loose.  Either the child is fascinated by something they see and want to run ahead; or they believe they are ‘too big’ to have their hand held and want to walk independently.  Regardless of the motive, the parent is not dissuaded.  The more the child wrestles for freedom, the tighter the grasp the parent places on their grip.  The child may not be aware of what lies ahead; but the knowledgeable parent can see dangers, snares, traps, obstacles and things that the child is too distracted to observe.  With a love that shelters concern, the parent is unrelenting in making sure that child does not wiggle free and get into trouble. 

    Life will present distractions that may draw our attention and blur our focus of what is best for us and we may wiggle into danger.  God keeps us in the palm of his hand and holds on to us when we often want to wiggle free or when enticements want to snatch us from his parental care. Our faithful father never lets go of his grasp and never lets anything snatch us out of his protection. Stop fighting and wiggling.  Rest in the protection of God; whatever is pulling you or enticing you away is not for your greater good. When things seem to be a bit tight and you just can’t seem to get any wiggle room….know you are in the firm grasp of a loving God.

    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!  Don’t be distracted; stay focused on your purpose. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Go On Up Higher

Exodus 19:20 - (ESV) – “ The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”

        Wednesdays have been marked as “Hump Day” among the Monday through Friday work group who mark the day as the mid-point of the struggle to get to the fun and relaxation of the weekend.  “Hump Day” has many images from friendly talking camels to mountaineers scampering up the side of a tortuously steep hill.  Whatever image pops into mind one thing we must never overlook is that while the mountain may have its challenges; guess who dwells in the midst of the mountain.  God is ubiquitous and is everywhere at the same time; but as the scripture reveals God ‘goes’ and ‘comes’ in his spirit to places where we can interact with him on a personal level.  Jesus wrapped himself in human flesh and dwelt among us on Earth; the Holy Spirit encapsulates himself into our being to dwell within us. 

      So the next time you struggle with having to do ‘hard’ things or ‘frustrating’ tasks that seem to just be like pushing a boulder uphill; keep in mind who is waiting for you at the summit; cheering for you all along the way; giving you strength to endure; guiding and encouraging your every step and keeping the predators at bay.  Keep focused on the uphill climb for you are elevating yourself above the mush and mire below to Go On Up Higher.

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!  Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose!  Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Wizard Warning

Isaiah 8:19 - The people will say, “Go to the fortunetellers and wizards who mumble and chirp like birds. Ask them what to do.” But I say, “Shouldn’t people go to their God for help? Why go to the dead to get help for the living?”

      With all of the chaos and uncertainty that is prevailing in society today, many are seeking answers and solutions from sources outside of God’s wisdom.  Driving down many city streets there are dozens of marquees touting the services of Fortune Tellers and Tarot Card Readers; all promising to be able to deliver inspired, ‘spiritual’ insight into any problem presented.  Whether the inquiry is about love, prosperity, career choice, or seeking lottery numbers, the gullible are taken in and cheated because of their desperation to find ways to cope with the uncertainty of life.

     Do not be fooled; tarot cards, tea leaf reading; horoscopes and fortune telling are all sides of the same coin – Not Trusting  God.  One of the most poignant lessons found in scripture is the fact the God only moves by his timing; not by our whines, complaints, pleads or bargaining; and surely not through the use of agents who operate against his will. Some may believe that it is harmless to pursue such practices; but God is very straight forward in his edits of whom we should seek when we are in need of answers.  Why go to the dead (Confucius, Mohammed, Buddha) when we serve a living Lord?  Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to the right sources…then patiently wait on the Lord and be of good courage.  Do not be anxious and run ahead of God… be patient and all that you need to know shall be revealed to you.  

     Every day is a good day`; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose!  Be blessed. Dr. JoAnn

Timing is Everything

Mark 9:9(KJV) – “ And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.”

Jesus commanded his disciples to keep to themselves the things he had allowed them to witness until an appropriate time.  God resolves many issues for us; opens opportunity doors; shuts distraction windows and places the right people and resources in our paths and in many instances it is best for us to keep quiet until the timing is right.  When the angel informed Mary that she would be the mother of our Savior, she pondered all that she was told in her heart.  When Abram was instructed about his new future role as father of many nations he did not take out an ad in the local newspaper or post it immediately on FaceBook. 

When God provides new insights for us it is important to consider not only the advances that await but also we must be aware that every listening ear does not have a supportive heart.  Everyone who claims to be in your corner may not even be in the same room.  It is often said that we must not share our big ideas with small minds.  Everyone who wants to hear the ‘whole’ story really might only want to hear enough to distort or disclaim what God is bestowing upon you.  Be careful and know that timing is everything. Do not be in a great rush to share all that God promises. In the right timing all things will be revealed. One of my favorite quotes comes from Shakespeare who says-“have more than we show and speak less than we know.”

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose! Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn 

Absent from the Body

I Corinthians 15:55-57 (RSV) - “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This past weekend I attended the ‘home-going’ celebration of life service for a young man whose life was cut in its prime.  One might say that by man’s understanding his life was too short, but by God’s purpose he was right on time.  The life and impact of Joshua far outreaches the number of candles he put upon his last birthday cake.  I and my children are blessed to have known him and his family for quite a few years; maybe not as intensively in his adult years as we knew him as a youngster, but nevertheless his spirit was always one of love, respect and joy. 

We often hear that it is not natural for parents to bury their children; but when we are in an active state of war, many mothers have to place wreaths on the graves of our fallen soldiers.  Well the same can be said for when our children seem to die young.  We are on the battlefield for our Lord and some of our young soldiers are called into headquarters sooner than we might reckon.

 All in all regardless of the battle you struggle to conquer each day, remember to keep the promises of Jesus before you; the praise of his glory in your mouth; the vision of your victory in the brightest corner of your mind and the joy of living in your heart. 

He is at peace now and the legacy of his life is framed around how he loved God, oved his family and lived to serve and encourage others.  The greatest loss in the whole situation is not that his life on earth is gone so soon but that more people did not get a chance to know him and the power of his enthusiasm for life. But that is our job…to tell about Jesus through the testimony of the lives of our loved ones.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day!  Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose.  Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

No Cuckoos Allowed

Genesis 3:1 – “ Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.   And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

     During our First Friday Fellowship gathering last week, I shared with the group the divisive strategy used by the Cuckoo bird to get others to nest, hatch, feed and care for their young.  While the unsuspecting victim is not paying attention the cuckoo will lay her egg in the host bird’s nest right alongside the host eggs; even mimicking the color of the host.  The cuckoo will then fly off to wait and watch.  Over the course of time the adoptive parent will hatch and care for the blind hatch-ling; but it is by no means helpless.  As the host eggs mature and open, the dominating cuckoo; though still blind and featherless, willfully pushes the host hatch-lings out of the nest to their deaths. Soon the cuckoo bird is much larger in size than even the mature mother host bird but out of instinct she continues to nurture and care for the huge cuckoo youngster although her own children are dead.

      Do not let others put things into your ‘nest’ for you to care for and cause you to be so distracted that you do not see their parasitic behavior.  The host bird was so focused on being a ‘good mother’ that she was blind to the reality that her own dreams and legacy were pushed out and died on the sidelines.  We must guard our desires and aspirations.  We must protect your newly developed ideas.  We must be on the lookout for those who wish to distract us from our purpose; which would allow ‘foolishness’ to consume our resources and our energy.  Watch out for cuckoos.  They are always watching you; looking for opportunities to swoop in and take advantage of your good nature, giving spirit, energetic outlook and kind heart. 

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose! Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn 

Totally Connected

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) – “³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

       We are in the loving care of our God.  Nothing new or old; foreign or domestic; seen or unseen can separate us from the love of God.  Nothing we can do or fail to do will disconnect us from the powerful arms of our Creator.  God is all love and every motive he portrays is steeped in love. 

      As we approach the weekend I charge each of us to look around and see the beauty of God’s love for us in the very simple things in life.  God is an awesome provider; a wonderful comfort in the time of sorrow; a protective hand when dangers abound and a Father who lavishes his love through mercy and grace.  Life is full of ups and downs but know that God in his loving nature has our best in mind at all times. Enjoy all that life has to offer; no matter how things appear on the surface; know that God is in control and we are never out of his loving grasp.

       Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day.  Don’t be distracted – stay focused on your purpose!  Have a gratitude-filled weekend.  See you on Monday.  Be blessed!   Dr. JoAnn