It's a busy life. It just is. I can't recall being or hearing, "I'm bored" for a long time. The only time I can recall being 'bored' was once when my flight was detained near the runway for three hours. I usually have a book with me wherever I go...well, not this time. I was flying nonstop from California to Colorado so I grabbed a magazine at the airport. I read the magazine from cover to cover. The lady sitting beside me had her book so she was not much for company. It was the longest three hours I have ever spent.
Life in general is busy and it's a good thing. We should be productive, 'living life' creatures. Most everyone I know is busy with something.
When Jesus was twelve, His family traveled to Jerusalem. On their way home, Mary and Joseph noticed He was missing, so they went back to Jerusalem where they found Jesus in the temple. When they questioned Him, He said, "I must be about my Father's business." He had a mission. He left that mission to us when He said, "Go and make disciples of all men..." Be busy about the Father's business. But what is it? How do we go about it?
Sometimes the busyness of life takes awy from the business of the Father.
We need to stop, spend time with our heavenly Father in prayer, meditating on the Word and just sitting in His presence - praising, worshipping and just being with Him. Then, His life and love will spill out to those around us. We will be in tune with the Holy Spirit and have the words to speak to someone in need. Our lives will draw others to Him - that is the Father's business.
Lord, there are so many hurting, lonely, lost people around us everyday. May we take the time to sit at Your feet, to be still and know that You are God. May we stop and walk along the still waters so You can restore our souls. May we be Your witnesses in a world that is lost without You. May we put Your business above our busyness. In Jesus' name Amen.

'Got a cell phone? 'Got High Technology?

I remember watching the 1995 movie, Clueless, with my, then twelve year old daughter. It was entertaining with valley girls, valley talk and cell phones.
I laughed when I saw students on phones during class. I thought, "Whatever!" It was ridiculous to think of a phone fitting in a purse. More absurd was the idea of a cell phone in the classroom. Ha! Well, the laugh was on me. I have chuckled to myself when I have walked in the halls during school, noticing students texting/calling each other on colorful cell phones. Of course,phones are quickly slipped into purses and bags before being 'caught'. I have been justifiably guilty for having my cell phone in class (when my son was in Iraq). A music professor told me how he counted over a hundred cell phones in his class in one day. Needless to say, we're living in a cell phone society. I can't imagine being without mine. It is my lifeline to family and friends. It fits nicely in my pocket and purse. It serves multiple purposes - texting, navigating, saving addresses, taking pictures. It is great to have in an emergency. It is unbelievable! My cell phone, my friend.

However, the first place I go in an emergency is not my cell phone. Our modern technology isn't powerful enough to meet my needs. It is outdated, compared to the Almighty God I serve. I go to the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is El Shaddai, Jehovah Jireh and so much more. I don't have to text Him or save Him in my contacts list. I don't even have to keep Him on speed dial. I have auto answer because He always hears me. He not only saves my messages, He writes on the tablet of my heart. I have a High Tower. I have a signal at all times. He is the Way the Truth and the Life. He is Jesus. He is my answer. He is my Friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is my Navigator Who shows me the way. He is my Abba Father. He is more than enough to get me through any situation at any time.
'Got a cell phone? 'Got Jesus?

Sometimes I'm like Peter

Sometimes someone says something intentionally, or unintentionally and I get my feelings hurt. Recently, someone said something to me that cut to the core. But, I wasn't going to let it bother me. I took it to the cross and 'left it there'. I forgave the person-until someone else came to me with a similar complaint about the same person. I jumped on the wagon and added my two cents. In my heart I heard that Small Voice telling me not to say anything,but I didn't listen. It didn't stop there. I shared my sorrow with the next person I spoke to. I was justified in my hurt.
Then, I happened to bump into the person I had already 'forgiven'. I felt horrible. I wanted to run and hide, like Peter when the rooster crowed, confronting him with his sin.
Jesus had told Peter he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning. Peter said "I would never!" But, when the rooster crowed, he realized he had denied Jesus, just as He said. He had gotten lost in the hurt and betrayal of the moment and forgotten what Jesus had said. Peter cried bitterly.
The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts. He spoke to mine. I should have said nothing, since I had already taken the hurt to the cross. Yet, I chose to ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit in the hurt of the moment,partaking in someone else's offense.
Like Peter, I realized what I had done. I got on my knees and wept. 'Lord,forgive me'. The Lord forgave me, just as He forgave Peter.
My lesson in repentance leads me to His green pastures of mercy. Our Lord is faithful to forgive us our sins. I am grateful.
My prayer today: Lord, my desire is to open my heart, not only to sincerely listen, but to obey Your voice. In Jesus' name. Amen.