So Much More!

April 17, 2020


So Much More

Have you ever looked at the life of someone that you used to know very well, but grew out of touch due to time or location? Today I was going back over some old photos and videos from my Youth Ministry days, and found some very fond emotions tucked away as I watched these priceless gems!

Some of my former students are now engaged, married, some have their own kids, some are in the ministry, some are making a big difference in the world. The sad fact was that some had just floundered, some I have no idea where they are at, some have even chosen a life of despair and agony – choosing not to follow after the things of God – instead for the worldly distractions that leave emptiness and lost-ness.

This got me to thinking about what my life has become. What do others feel or see when they see an old photo or video of some crazy thing I did in my younger years? My hope is that they say to themselves, “WOW, he sure has become a great husband, father, coach, leader, etc…” I know not all see that, but I hope that is truly what is happening – regardless! But then, I realize that the most important person thinking about me – are not the people from my past, they are not even the people in my present. I dare say that the most important people thinking about me – are not even those that I share the same last name or that I call family.

The most important person in my life that is thinking about me is Jesus! He cares about me and thinks about more than I could possibly fathom. And He does for you as well! Here are some of the things that He thinks about regarding you and I…

Is. 43:4, “I Love You!” – He Loves Us!

Is. 43:1, “I call you by name, you are mine!” – He wants to have relationship with Us!

John 1:12, “To those that believe, have the right to be called son and daughters.” – We are family to Him!

Is. 43:4, “You are precious…” – We have great worth and are desirable to Him!

Romans 5:8, “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – He gave His life for us!

Well, here’s to all the students that braved mission trips, summer camps, holiday outings, Tuesday or Wednesday night services, silly games, story of things long forgotten, on and on. When I think of you I smile, I cry, I laugh, I marvel, I wonder what I did to be so fortunate to have known you… 

 

 

 

 

 

But regardless of what I think, He thinks so much more highly of you and loves you so much more than I could ever fathom!

Oh how He loves YOU!

FAITH

April 13, 2020

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen!” This week during our staff prayer time, God brought this verse to my mind and I just began to pray the prayer of faith for my family (both wife and kids, as well as our church family)! As I prayed this passage of scripture, I believe the Lord gave me a couple points of insight that I would like to share with you this morning!

1st – Faith is the catalyst in our life to have us watch the hand of God move on our behalf. Faith is the reassurance that God is at work in the situation that seems unmovable. Faith is the “nudge” in which we begin to act on the belief that “the One who started a work in us, will be faithful to complete that work!”

2nd – “The substance of things hoped for…” Substance is the matter of which something is made. Think about this with me…what are you made of…better yet, Who were you fashioned after? “Let us make man in Our image!” You are fashioned after God who created the universe! How amazing is that! Someone said to me this week that they felt like a disaster every time they went to the Word. I quickly reminded them that “God is closest to the broken and contrite heart”––that is right where God wants you. You feel like a disaster? AWESOME! God is getting ready to make a mighty move of faith!

3rd –  “…the evidence of things not yet seen!” What do you see in our church? What do you see in your family? What do you see in your your circumstance? Do you see God anywhere? Do you see any evidence that He is working in the scenes? Remember, faith is evidence. Sometimes you have to look for evidence––the little signs––the little points that God is at work! Even in the midst of the “stay at home” advisory and the spread of the virus. Your Faith can increase, and be apart of the increase of God’s presence all over the world during this time!

This week, why don’t we all pray for God to increase our faith! In essence, we are asking Him to increase our matter––our substance! Then you are asking Him to increase the evidence of His moving in and around us! Guess what? He wants too!

Praying for you & with you! Let’s keep increasing our faith in Him, and decreasing the you and me! Have a faith-filled week!

COLORS

April 4, 2020

Colors

Colors are such a sign for the seasons.

Think about… Summer – bright colors white, green, orange, purple.

Fall – earth tones of orange, brown, red, amber.

Winter – deep and dark colors, black, gray, navy blue.

Spring Time – Light colors, pastels of blue, green, yellow, pink, purple, and green!

Colors tell us where we are and what time the season is. But then, we begin to blend in with the settings around us! And in this season of spring, we find ourselves in a “Stay at Home Advisory’, blending in out of necessity for life. We are now having to be intentional about those COLORS we love to see here in New England – the white and grays of winter, to the greens, yellows, oranges, and pastels of spring.

How does this affect us as Christians? We could say that red is a Christians favorite color, because of Calvary. We could say that white is a Christians favorite color, because of Redemption. We could say that blue is a Christians favorite color, because someday we will be caught up in the sky with our savior! All are true, but think about this…

We are called to be a peculiar people! To not blend in! To be different! This week as we begin to celebrate the Easter season, the thought crosses my mind, “What do people see when they look at me, a Christ Follower?” Do they see traditional or contemporary, how about a style of music, a particular political bent? Does my family not just look different, but act different and actually walk the as Jesus walked? I want to encourage, us both, to take an inventory of our hearts and lives. “Match our colors with Christ, not our surroundings!”

Easter is literally 1 week away! Find a friend, neighbor, co-worker, relative, and invite them to church online, over the next several opportunities through Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter! I heard a friend say this week, “Let’s have a virtual cup of coffee together over Zoom or Facetime.” They “go” to church together! We all need to hear the story of the resurrection this season, the testimony of life and togetherness – it is coming back! Even though you may think they will not come, invite them and see what God does!

Let’s get out of our comfort zone to see Jesus change lives! Have a colorful week this week!

Free Agency Has Killed the Game…

December 31, 2019

You may have heard that I am quite the baseball fan…

As I was shoveling the driveway this morning, contemplating the new month of January 2020, this thought – “Free Agency Has Killed the Game” – pummeled my thoughts. Let me explain…

Now, Free Agency started effectively on Nov. 4, 1976 in Major League Baseball, I was just over 3 years old. There was absolutely nothing about getting rid of the reserve clause (keeping players to a team, that could go elsewhere and play, even perhaps for more money) that did anything for me or against me on that day, or even now on this day. The simplest understanding, for the average person, it means nothing to the outcome of our lives.

Free Agency, gave the player the right to go wherever they felt like they could go – to get more playing time and more money. A decision that became all about themselves, not the team, not the dream, not relationship, all about ‘me’…

Ok, now that I have sucked you into this post…it is truly not about baseball…

You know too many of us in Christendom have become free agents. Worried and consumed about how this thing called life is going to treat us as individuals. Not buying into the “team”, the “Creator”, the passion to win – souls. It has taken away the desire to be like the One who paid it all for us.

We so often, can’t get out of our own way, we can’t stop looking at our own mirror, we can’t stop looking at the play of others and how if effects us – instead of looking at our play and how it affects others. Christendom has become a free agent game, about me and mine…

A well known Pastor in Christendom once penned these words as he opened his best selling book, “It’s not about you!” Pastor Rick Warren, got the point, that to live a “Purpose Driven Life”, one must not live for themselves, they have to give up their life and live for someone else…Jesus and those that Jesus wants to save!!!!

Jesus said in the book of Matthew 16:24 (NLT),

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Did you catch it, “…give up your own way…follow me.”?

That means me too! Dan Lewiston, give up your own way and follow Jesus!

You know in Baseball there are these 2 offensive plays…

A Sacrifice Bunt and A Sacrifice Fly

The ball goes different distances…one merely 10 feet from the catcher – maybe…the other in the air way out in the outfield. Both designed to get the runners around the bases, maybe even to score 1 run. Not designed for the hitter, but the base runner. Not designed for me, but for the team.

God, let me hit a Sac Bunt or Sac Fly today – for your team!

No Matter Which Bed You Are In…

August 23, 2019

Today has been a “Bungee Cord” kind of day. I sat in 2 different Hospital Rooms before lunchtime. One was on the Oncology Floor of a friend of mine who has been diagnosed with Stage 3/4 Cancer. The other was with a mom who was holding her 5 weeks premature newborn. Some serious emotions and thoughts entered into my head as I sat with both.

On the Oncology Floor – My friend is bound and determined to beat cancer! He has high spirits and giving his everything to do whatever necessary to “Kick Cancer in Nodes” (His saying, as the cancer is in his lymph nodes). I walked out in wonder…How would I be in that bed? Would I have the peace to face this the way he is? Would I have the confidence in FAITH and MEDICINE that he has? For I would not like to choose the bed he is lying in right now.

 

In the NICU – I sat with a precious little one and her mom, the peace and serenity that both of them had. Newborn sleeping against her mother, mother nestling this little life in the opening gates of this world. As I listened to the unfolding events of the prior 72 hours of intense medical procedures to guarantee this little one a fighting chance, not to mention helping the mother to stay alive. How would I be,watching my sons, my daughter, my wife lying in that bed? Would I have had the same peace, in the same situation? Would I have maintained the same trust in FAITH and MEDICINE? I would not have chosen this bed for the start of my own 3 children.

Back to the morning of this day – I started my drive to the hospital(s) this morning listening to a sermon by Pastor Michael Todd, (Click Peace Under Pressure to view)… Guess what his inspiration was all about… Peace and the Holy Spirit!

As he shared, and I have read and preached about countless times along the way…

John 16:31-33 (MSG)

Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” 

John 16:31-33

Well, the message for me was loud and clear… “Dan, be at PEACE! I got this!” – Jesus

I am not sure what bed you are lying in right now. Frankly, the beds we find ourselves lying in tend be overwhleming. I want to encourage you to lift yourself up and ask the “Comforter” (AKA…Greg – listen to the sermon above, Paraclete, Holy Spirit) to walk with you and lift what you cannot lift!

Guess what – He Will!

What If…

June 10, 2019

The below piece is written from a Son to himself with questions in his heart and soul. And our Heavenly Father’s reply…

What If…

Son: What if I never sinned? Father: What if you walked in your forgiveness?

Son: What if I always listen to you? Father: What if you become just like My Son?

Son: What if I had never lied? Father: What if your dreams come true, in spite?

Son: What if I never cried? Father: What if your tears brought a day anew, just like the fresh morning dew?

Son: What if I just go ahead and die? Father: What if you are called to live an abundant life, one filled with joy, passion, and lack of strife.

Son: What if I was smart? Father: What if you knew of your own brilliance?

Son: What if I was tall, and strong, and fast? Father: What if you had walked in My Image and looked and lived like Me?

Son: What if I had never seen those images? Father: What if your mind was transfomred by the way you think, and made new?

Son: What if I was the perfect son? Father: What if you knew how amazing you really are, created just the way I like want you?

Son: What if I looked to You, maybe I wouldn’t be addicted? Father: What if you kept your eyes on me, and not the pain that keeps you so afflicted?

Son: What if I fought back more than not? Father: What if you knew your life had reason, then your life wouldn’t feel as though it is filled with treason.

Son: What if I gave up? Father: What if you keep on swinging, and never gave up?

Father: What if as you round 3rd, headed for home – you hear Me say, “Well Done!”

Remember the words found in Isaiah 43:4…
“…you are precious to Me. You are honored, and I Love You.”

…ATTITUDE…

June 7, 2019

If you are alive on this earth, you have heard the world attitude. You have had to adjust your attitude. You have been on the recieving end of a person that needed to have an attitude adjustment, and if you are like me, you may have felt inspired to the “instrument” that God was going to use to make that adjustment (We have to “SLOW OUT ROLE” when that happens). Attitudes are in everybody, every day, every where, and in every circumstance!

16 years ago, I came across an addage that I had forgotten until recently. Here it is…

What makes life 100%? If

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then,

K N O W L E D G E – 11 14 15 23 12 5 4 7 5 = 96%

H A R D W O R K – 8 1 18 4 23 15 18 11 = 98%

But,

A T T I T U D E – 1 20 20 9 20 21 4 5 = 100%

Now that is pretty powerful wouldn’t you say! I believe that Jesus lived His life in this principle. The Apostle Paul, saw this through his encounters with Jesus and developed this “thesis” the more and more he wrote about Jesus. Look at Paul’s thoughts on this in the book of Phillipians…

Philippians 2 (NLT) – Have the Attitude of Christ

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I know right now in my own personal life, the more I shift my eyes off of myself; then shift them to Jesus and to other people, I notice something…

MY ATTITUDE AUTOMATICALLY  ADJUSTS FOR THE BETTER!

As a matter of fact,  John C. Maxwell said this about attitudes… “When our attitude outdistances our abilities, the impossible is possible!”

So here is to Life at 100% – ATTITUDE!!!!!!!

It Ain’t Over

May 31, 2019

Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over, ’til it’s over!”

Well as of last night, the 2019 High School Baseball season is over for our Varsity Team. It should be a sick day for Baseball Coaches and Players (a holiday for moms – no more baseball unifomr laundry turn around in less than 8 hours), the disbelief that the season is over, the thought of what am I going to do from 2:30 to 5:00 everyday, the “wish I should have could haves” to simply keep playing another day. But the stark reality is the older I get, the more I realize all things come to an end…sorta…

Last night I watched 3 seniors play High School Baseball for the last time, and there friend – who was the manager, was there for their whole Sr. Year. I watched a young man that accepted a role that he had never done before, performed sacrifice bunt after bunt – yet again, the way he had done so many times, and he did it well! I watched a young man sit in the dugout for 7 innings, with an injury, support and love on his team that he had played as a starter for the last 3 seasons. And then I watched a young man that has been an incredible hitter for years, not get a hit in his last game, but left his heart and soul on the pitchers mound – a complete game win (12-4) with 9 Strikeouts and 133 pitches. Yet, it ain’t over for these 3…boys, it ain’t over…It is only just beginning!

Then there was the 4 coaches, in which fortunately I get to be one of them… An evening of last barbs to each other, confirming or questioning each other for the best move for the team, the final handshake and hug of the 2019 season, and the promise to be back and be better and be there for each other for the 2020 season. Then there was the coaches photo to simply obligize a grandmother of one of our seniors…

Those 4 seniors, us 4 coaches, you in your life – will all see seasons come to a close. But remember there are always seasons that are about to start. People to do life with, Places to visit, and Tasks to accomplish…seasons that are new and exciting, adventures filled with the unknown, and people that will bring value to your life. Seasons that will bring new expressions of purpose, meaning, and dedication. Seasons that will stretch you and prove valuable as you learn and grow. Seasons that will exercise your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual mechanics. Seasons that will prove to be fundamental as you round the bases for the next season after that, and the one after that, and the one after that…

Sometimes in those transitions of seasons, the game of life can feel like it has left you all alone. Sometimes, those same times can you leave you feeling ill prepared for what is next. Sometimes, the yearning and the desire to go back in time, because it is known and comfortable – is so very overwhelming. Sometimes the next season will have a new set of doubt, fear, and pain that you will have to play with. But, I want to challenge you today, every season you loved, started with many of the same emotions and realities, but you and I played through those sets of doubt, fear, and pain. And we made it through that season, to the next.

Well, I leave with you this…from my favorite playbook ever…the Bible…

“For I’m going to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Don’t you see it? I will make a road through the wilderness of the world for my people to go home, and create rivers for them in the desert!” Isaiah 43:19 (The Living Bible)

God knows your season. God promises that He will make a road through the wilderness (doubt, fear, and pain) for you. In this next season, God will make “base path” for you to round the bases and make it HOME!

 

Class of 2019 – Here’s to a new season! May the next season, be more adventure filled than this last one! Thank You #2, #3, and #6!

Coach JD, Al, and Sandy – not a group of guys that I would have wanted to do this season with, than you! Here’s to eyes open, what did he just say, XXL, and so many other one liners that will pass by – can’t wait for next years set…

He said that “It ain’t over, until it’s over.”

So, (insert your name or baseball card here)…

___________________________

and remember…

“It AIN’T OVER!”

Shadows

May 24, 2019

“You just don’t understand me.”

“Why do you see me that way? It is not who I am!”

“All I want to is for someone to put their arms around me, to hug me, to love me, to help me know that I am not alone!”

“I hate being in the shadows…”

Shadows…of pain, hurt, rejection, despair, loneliness, and hopelessness. They are places of fear, places of pain remembered, places of darkness, places that we often don’t want to be.

A son in his father’s shadow.

A daughter in her mother’s shadow.

An apprentice in the shadow of their master.

An athlete who just doesn’t measure up.

A student who can’t quite muster up the grades.

A mom that feels pulled in a million directions.

A father who has lost the sense of purpose.

This morning, through pain, through questions, through the unknown, through all the shadows… There is a shadow that is safe and not painful. There is shadow where peace and comfort and joy and love and hope reside. There is a shadow that is not tempting to try to overcome. There is a shadow that is place of rest and wisdom.

Where is this shadow? I’m glad you asked…

Psalm 91:1-13 (MSG)

1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in the Almighty’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path

14-16“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
     “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
     if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
     I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”

Today, I am walking through my own questions as to the shadows in my life. I am sure you are as well. I believe that the answer to our shadows is not our quest for more authority, more gifts, more talent, more influence, more money, more of whatever you and I feel meets the void. Our answer to the shadows that we fight so desperately to get out from under, is the shadow of the Almighty God!

So will you join me in finding Rest for you, Peace for the journey, and Love from your Heavenly Father in this shadow, in His Shadow…

 

Just Practice…

May 17, 2019

This morning a good friend asked me this question, “Did you have a game last night, or just practice?” Now before I hit publish and make this available to the whole world, I will make sure my friends knows that I am writing this, and will say thank you for the moment that allowed this thought to live out loud. Thank you my dear friend!

Just Practice… can mean – “Just stop your belly aching and go practice what you have been taught!”

Just Practice… can mean – “Just another day at the office.” or “Living the dream…” or “Man, do I have to go to practice?”

Just Practice… can mean – “I really want to have a game. Practice is so boring and monotonous. Game time is where I shine.”

Today, I want to propose this thought to you…

Have you heard the adage “You will play like you practice.” I heard this as a high school athlete, I hated it. Friday nights under the lights were different from practice afternoons. What people saw under the lights was the best, my best, our teams best. They seemed to be the best of times!

Now, I love practice the most. They are the best of times. That is where we get better. That is where we work on things, to get better. That is where we forge relationships, and learn how to forge through the fires of adversity. Practice is where I truly deal with the Doubt, the Fear, and the Pain! Games are where I reap the rewards of the Doubt, the Fear, and the Pain overcome through practice!

Well, now as a Dad, Pastor, Leader, and Coach, I live by and preach a different setiment… “Don’t wait to play hard when everyone is watching, play hard when the only ones that are watching are your teammates and coaches. Then you will give your everything, your best in practice, and then on the field!” You will know no other way!

So the question of the day…

How are you playing today? Is your life different in private compared to public? Are you playing for who is watching, or are you practicing to get better?

Let me leave you with a quote from Coach Warren Belin who got it from St. Jerome…

“Good, better, best – never let it rest until your good is Better

and your Better is BEST!”

What is your best today?

Let Your Hair Grow Back

January 10, 2019

This morning in my reading my Bible, I was captivated by a verse (yet again) that I have read so many times throughout the years.

Judges 16:22, “But before long, his hair began to grow back.”

A little verse that stands out, like the whisper of a dear friend. You will miss if you do not pay attention to it. Let me explain…

Samson was a man that God had chosen to be a leader of the nation of Israel in Biblical Times. Before he was even born, God spoke to his mother to tell her that he was going to be a man that was dedicated to God and that he would rescue all of Israel. Samson was going quite the man, quite the leader, quite the emotional mess – almost ruining the plan of God for his own life.

Samson was quite the strong man, he once killed 1,000 men that had ganged up on him, with nothing more than the jawbone of a donkey carcass. He once snapped the ropes that were tied around his arms, like burnt rope. Once, his hair was woven into a loom, as he was attacked – he pulled his hair from the loom – without losing his hair. This dude was STRONG!

If you read his story in the Bible (Judges 13 – 16), you will find that the source of his strength was rooted (pun intended) in his hair. Now, I don’t understand why. Perhaps Samson was the original Patriarch of the Duck Dynasty Family, don’t know… But this is the way God intended it to be. This begs the idea that we think of why we possess certain gifts and abilities, and maybe people are looking at you and I and asking the question, “Why do they have the ability or gifts for that?” The only answer is that God placed them down deep in us. We move on…

Well once Samson’s enemies found out the source of his strength was his hair, they captured him and shaved his head. They did more to him, but you will have to read that for yourself (Judges 16:17-31). He found himself imprisoned, blind, humbled, and weak.

Then we hit this verse. Judges 16:22, “But before long, his hair began to grow back.” As his hair began to grow back, his strength began to come back. Today, I wonder if your “hair” has been cut off. I wonder if you find yourself in a place where you are imprisoned, blind, humbled, and weak. Your gifts and abilities seem like they have wasted away. You are a shell of the man or woman that you were once.

Guess what, “LET YOUR HAIR GROW BACK!” Samson was an emotional mess. I have been there, have you? You start on a trajectory that is right, it from the Lord, it is something that you know God spoke in your heart. Then somewhere along the way, you seem to start messing it all up. Maybe, someone else starts messing it up. Bottom line, it begins to get messed up. Look at this verse, “…his hair began to grow back.”

It is never to late to get back on right track. Listen to what the Lord has spoken to you. Never forget what he said! Remember, your hair will grow back!

You will make it if you listen to what God says about you…and you let your hair grow back!

Your strength will come back if you rest in the knowledge of who God called you to be, not what you feel others are saying about you!

Your gifts and abilities will once again make room for you, if you use them not for your achievement, your purpose, your plan, or your success – but His!

You will be again what you always dreamed of being!

You will be what God placed in your heart and soul to be!

So…

Here it is…

“LET YOUR HAIR GROW BACK!”

Reeling in Change or REALLY CHANGE

January 2, 2019

 

ChangeEvery year, scores of people around the world make “New Year’s Resolutions.” They are often broken within the first 30 days of the year. It is often not because of tools, availability, or even schedule conflicts. Many times the culprit is simply the lack of desire to “REALLY CHANGE” so people end up “REELING IN CHANGE!”

We in America (especially), just constantly want more and more. I must confess, I am way too often guilty of this. With this desire for more (of almost everything), we truly lose the value of “Really Change” and begin “Reeling in Change.” Change hurts and it often costs more than we are willing to pay. You have probably heard the quote, “Change only happens when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than change itself!” The absolute fact is we want Real Change, but we can’t outlast the Reeling in Change phase–so we stop REALLY CHANGING!

Psalms 139:23 & 24 says, “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

I love this passage! I love to pray this passage–okay sometimes are easier than others! I really desire to change, and the only way to REALLY CHANGE is to have God begin to alter the things in my life that need be weeded out!

Proverbs 4:23 points out, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

As you start your “Resolutions” or “Goals” or “Life Changes”…whatever you call them; this year, take some time and let God look inside your heart. Let Him test you. Let Him point out anything in you that offends Him (if it offends Him, it ultimately hurts you).

Then start your 2019 leg of the journey to “REALLY CHANGE”!

Guard your heart from there on out, because it will then keep you from “REELING in CHANGE!”