Unplug

Have you ever wondered if we got rid of all the clutter in our life – how much clearer we would see life?

Life for many people has become a juggling act between clutter and the things that matter. Unfortunately the things that matter either get short handed or over looked.

Just think about how much we are informed about things going on in other countries but aren’t aware of the things going on right in our own neighborhood or even our homes.

I believe God puts us in physical places to make a difference in our own community, which in turn often enriches our life but because we are so plugged into other things in life we miss the opportunities God has provided for us.

Think about the things you are plugged into in this life. Facebook, twitter, texting, bebo- not to mention those magazines and gossips columns on Hollywood next to the grocery check out. Hollywood. Is Hollywood your life? Really? How many hours do you spend on Facebook, bebo, twitter, ipad device, video games and texting? Are you ignoring the people in your own home? What are you wrapping your thoughts in and around?

I understand we all needs some down time to VEG but when the down time becomes hours and instead of 60 minutes that is problem.

Sometimes I imagine the white canvas before Jackson Pollock splattered paint all over it. Our life is a white canvas for us to create but we allow the Jackson Pollocks of the media and tech world to take up our white space until there is no place for us to paint.

When this life is over are you going to say to yourself I wish I spent more time watching TV and on twitter? I wish I heard more negatives before that stranger I don’t even know says, “Have a good day or night”… really?

I think there is enough drama in our lives already that we don’t have to look for more to fill our life- Am I right?

Are your hands being helpful hands? Are your feet being helpful feet? Are your thoughts and words constructive and hopeful or do they tear down -both you and the people that surround you?

How would you live your life today if it was your last day on earth?

Defrag the mind. Unplug. Today is a new canvas God has put in front of you for you to paint on.

Psa 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

A LIFE WITHOUT WALLS

“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

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." Jeremiah 1:5

It is startling to think that before we came into being, God had a plan for our life.

That should speak volumes about God’s love for us.

As an artist, I like for whatever I create to have a purpose and a future. I don’t want to create something that is going to be forgotten in a few years or stuck in a closet or an attic…

I believe God is the same way. He doesn’t create things that don’t have a purpose…. I may not understand that purpose of a mosquito but there is a reason for all the things he created.

Have you ever tried to put God in a box? How about your perceived notion of God in a box?

I find that when I try to put God in a box and tell God what He can and cannot do in my life I only put myself in a box.

A place with walls feels safe but it doesn't allow us to see or experience any further then those walls.

God never puts walls or limits upon us but we do. We are the ones that hinder God’s plans in our life when we decide what He is capable and not capable of doing in our life. We are the ones that hinder his love from touching our life.

God isn’t going to force himself on anyone. That is why he gave us a choice. He loves us too much to put walls up around us for he has a plan for our life that is without walls and limits.

That life, however, comes with trusting God not us or others.

Sometimes we put other people’s opinions over what God thinks we are capable of doing.

We believe in circumstances over what may come out of those circumstances.

We are the ones who dash our hopes.

Would a tree that is pruned ever grow back its fullness, if it were capable of holding its misery?

When we trust in God, nothing is impossible. When we trust God, it doesn’t just affect our lives but the lives of others as well.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

What kinds of negative things do we hang on to? What do we treasure that hinders God’s plans in our life?

Do we treasure the potholes of life over the healing rain that fills them? What would a child do in rain puddle? They would jump into it with pure joy and delight spreading it all over everyone that is near them. God isn’t about potholes but filling those potholes with his love.

I would have never dreamed up the things God has done in my life and is still doing if my life.

Remember God isn't about putting up walls in our lives but helping you tear those walls down.

Fate and Destiny

Most people believe in fate or destiny in some form or fashion.

We all have to discover however if we are believing and/ following a false fate and destiny.

God wants to invest in our lives but we must be willing to resist the temptation of following something that isn't based on God's fate and destiny for us.

He doesn't want us to get confused by a false fate and destiny.

Here are some examples that confuse an individual in a false fate and destiny situation:

1. Popularity (Popular/ Unpopular) (What others think of you.)
2. Fortune (The amount of money you have.)
3. Circumstances (Good/Bad)
4. Superstitions (such star alignments/horoscopes/ reports from false prophets, mediums, 1-800 call a (you know what), fortune tellers, etc)
5. Yourself (Your thoughts, feelings, outlook or perception of yourself, comparisons to others.)

Your fate and destiny have very little/ if nothing to do with these things.

In fact some of these are faith killers and are despised by God.

That is why the word says we walk by faith not by sight.

Remember Job, Moses, Joseph, teenage Mary, tax collector Matthew, Lazarus, the apostle Paul once known as Saul, the seemly nobody apostle James the son of Alphaeus?

We can not base our fate and destiny on our circumstances or our feelings on our life.

We can't say I must be going to heaven because I haven't killed anybody or murdered anyone. Have you lied? Have you cheated? Have you wanted something someone else had? Then you have sinned just like everyone else and have broken God's commandments.

Our Fate and Destiny is trusting in God, coming to God, and becoming one of God's children through Jesus Christ. For Christ paid the price for our sins.

It is only by faith we can walk through all the variety and even difficult experiences in this life. Fires, deserts, calm shores, cloudy days, and sun filled days of pure bliss. It is only by faith can we endure and see pass all the things that want to claim they are our destiny and fate. Vessels of Christ are poured into and out of, they are tested as gold is purified to become pure to reflect Christ.

For a false fate and destiny is easy to believe but if it's not your destiny or fate then you are just following and believing in something that is false. You follow something that is false -leaves an individual having an eternity in hell stead of heaven.

"So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."- Hebrew 11:6

God holds our fate and destiny in his hand.

Job: 23:14 "So he will do for me all he has planned. He controls my destiny."

Ecclesiastes 6:10 "Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny."

Psalm 73:24 "You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny."

God wants to invest in our lives but he wants us to be aware of what is a false fate and destiny and keep our hearts and minds on Him regardless at what screams and says is obvious because the obvious can sometimes not be so obvious and changes without notice.