careful consideration

Careful consideration. I can't tell you the number of times I have heard someone say I've given it careful consideration or something similar. My question is how long are you going to carefully consider before you do....before you live?

To Do list

So it's been a good long while since I blogged. I'd say it was all because I just hadn't found the time but truth be told for the most part I haven't had anything to say that I deemed worthy of a post. Sometimes when blogging I feel this pressure to be witty or wise or profound. And there are very few days when I feel that I am those things.

As you know the new year always brings resolution talk. And every year I make and break them or I steadfastly refuse to make them. This year I wasn't so sure. Sure I'd like to make positive changes in my life but I don't want to feel bad about myself if I can't make make them in the way I forecast making them via resolutions.

Today I decided to on a to-do list instead. This appeals to me on a few levels. For one I am a list maker at heart. And I love to-do lists. There is so much satisfaction in seeing things get marked off a list as accomplished. And what's more is a to-list about making things happen more than trying to change.

My to-do list is by no means finalized (mostly because I just thought of it today!). But so far the one thing that has been laid upon my heart is to make at least one encouraging comment everyday on facebook. This may sound trivial but if you've ever spent much time on facebook, you've probably noticed how negative it can be at times. Or maybe I just know a lot of negative people!?!

My other to-do is to blog at least once a week. And I've decided to let myself off the hook when it comes to posting something profound. I'll just resign myself to being myself and as myself I know I have days when I don't have anything exciting to say. But what I do have to say, I will say.

Be on the look out for me. And if you notice me not posting, call me on it. Sometimes I need some accountability :)

Fighting from the point of victory

I read in one of the books by Joseph Prince (can't remember which one) that as a child of God saved by grace we don't have to fight for victory. We are victorious through the finished work of the cross. So we fight from victory not for victory. I've been reminding myself of that and many scriptures since Sunday afternoon.
I thank God that in His all knowing wisdom He put such books, scriptures and promises in my hands, my heart, and my memory knowing that this day was coming. I know that God has been doing a work in our lives and that sometimes you have these periods of polishing when He is getting rid of the junk that keeps us in bondage to the wiles of satan.
I hold tight to the words Jesus spoke to Peter in Luke 22 when He said "satan has asked for you that he may sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith shall not fail." So if even Jesus is praying for us, how can we not be in a place of victory...a place of rest?
I know Tommy. I know his heart. I know the annointing that God has placed upon him to do His business-to be His willing and obedient servant. No he's not perfect and he falls but he never stays down. He seeks God with all his heart, mind and soul.
So I have to believe that God has given him words of comfort, peace and encouragement to hang on to as well. I know that God will remind him of the words in Psalm 91:1-2. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the sahdow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him I will trust.'"
And in 14-15, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."
Thank you to all my family and friends who have loved me during this time and joined me in prayer. I pray Tommy is feeling that love as well and knows he's not in this alone. You all have helped to keep me grounded and upright. I can never thank you enough. I love you all and I pray God blesses you abundantly today and always!

Pressing on

I had decided I didn't want to blog about the tragic events this weekend. I didn't want to give any more attention to the senseless acts of violence and terror. But the more I hear people grumble and complain and run the city into the ground the more I feel I can't keep silent.
Unfortunately, violence is a by-product of our times and imperfect society. And it happens EVERYWHERE. There is no city that isn't impacted by violence.
What makes a location a desirable place to live is how it's citizens react to such a tragedy. The choice is up to the people of Muskogee. Will we let it be defined by this incident and turn it over to those people who perpetrate such acts of violence? Or will we stand up and re-claim our city?
Don't sit idly by and complain about how the city is not the kind of place to raise a family. Do something about it. Stand up for your right to live in a city where such violence is not tolerated. Nor will we tolerate people harboring these fugitives. We will not raise a generation of children who have no regard for human life. We will not live in fear and intimidation.
Trust in the Lord. Reclaim what satan has stolen from us. He can only have what we give up willingly.
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies." Psalm 18: 2 & 3.