I grew up loving roller coasters. The faster and the more twists and turns, the more exciting. The ups and downs twists and turns made it all worth it.

Is your faith in God like a roller coaster? Do you find yourself so confident, on such a high that nothing can bring you down, and a few hours later you’re wallowing in self pity?

So how do we stop this roller coaster way of life? How do we balance our highs with our lows?

Faith is based on something that’s not seen. We can’t touch faith; we can’t visibly see faith. But, faith in God, gives us the ability to trust that whatever day God has planned for us, that He will be there through it all.

This also means that even though we may have everything going for us in the morning, when evening hits and things start to fall apart, our attitude shouldn’t change.

Faith = acceptance. Trust what is and accept what is to come.

2 Peter 3:9 - “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Very few of us in America have experienced starvation, or even close to it. While other poor countries deal with this daily.

For Christians, the Bible is the voice of God communicating to us. It’s not a rule book, and it’s more than a collection of stories, and letters. Our foundation for a healthy relationship with God starts with communication. God’s word (the Bible) is His way of communicating with us.

If you’re not studying the Bible daily, then how are you going to keep the relationship with God going? Without God’s word guiding you each day, you’ll eventually run out of steam, slowing starving to the point of death of your salvation.

Rather than having a few verses that you’ve memorized, how about meditating on scripture, turning to scripture for strength and guidance.

The best kind of food for a Christian is to feed on God’s word. Get the hunger for righteousness that only God can fill. You’ll never be satisfied with what the world is offering.

Know the signs of spiritual starvation. Do you communicate with God daily? Does He know you and your needs? Are you filling your soul with His word?

Don’t neglect God’s provisions for you.

Isaiah 55:1 - “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

God made man and God made a woman from the ribs of a man. He made us to be individuals, specifically different in a variety of ways.

Our conversations, whether intentional or casual can be interpreted to have different intentions. For example, my husband will ask, “are you ready to go?” I may say, “yes.” But in my mind, I’m multitasking, wondering how much I can accomplish before walking out the door. If I asked my husband whether he’s ready to go, he will usually respond with a yes, or no.

We can be intentional about many things, but are we intentional in our daily lives with God? Are we pursuing Him? Are we looking for ways to thank Him for our blessings? Does God interpret our relationship with Him as genuine, or are we intentionally leaving God out of our day?

How do others interpret your relationship with God? Or, do they even see you as Christian?

My prayer is that God is seeking me as I pursue Him. I pray that others see my intentions are pure and devoted to God.

Don’t let others get the wrong ideas about your intentions.

Intently ask God to show you how to love others and how to reveal to others your Godly intentions.

Ephesians 5:15 - “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,”

Risks are a part of life. We take risks with people in relationships. We take risks in getting a job. We take a risk in getting in a car, on a plane, or crossing the road. We even take risks in what we eat.

But have you ever thought about taking risks with God? It’s different in taking risks with God in that it requires faith. For example, when I signed up for my first mission trip in 2017, I was unsure and nervous about the decision. I knew this was stepping out of the box for me, and wasn’t sure if I was ready for it. The risks were internal, emotional and spiritual.

But, for those of you who have followed my blog or read my book, Mission Possible, you know I did it! How? Faith. I trusted God in whatever was ahead of me. I trusted that He would be there every step of the way. My faith took me on a journey that although was rocky at first, landed me in the mission fields of Peru. You see, Satan likes it when he sees an opportunity, especially when we take risks. He wants us to fail and he will try anything to make us fail.

But, my God always wins! That’s my faith - 100% in God.

Try God. He’s worth the risks. Everything in this life is a risk. God uses people who are willing to take risks.

Are you in?

2 Timothy 1:7 - “For the spirit God gave us does not make u s timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Some families have their traditional holidays. Some, with some secret family recipes. This is a good thing. But, just try and get that secret recipe or secret ingredient that grandma puts in the pumpkin pie and you’ll realize soon that some things should be left alone.

There’s no secrets in God’s kingdom. There’s no mystery in how you can get to Heaven. God’s plan of salvation is laid out all throughout the Bible.

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a]for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Some people will look at the verse above and say, “just how do you know that God works out the good in all things.” Well, I can show you proof from the Bible, or I can tell you the times that He’s done this for me. And notice the end of the sentence. This is speaking to those who have been called for His purpose, not ours.

This means that God can take something that was meant for evil and turn it into something good.

He’s done it for me, many times and will do it for you. If and only if you give your life to Him.

What’s your family secret?

There’s no secret in God’s good plans for you. Trust Him today.

Have you ever crammed the night before an exam? Staying up all night, reviewing over and over again, you’re hoping, the most important items that will be on the test. And if you’re successful, you ace the test! Sometimes, it’s worth it, to cram for the test. But, what would happen if you actually studied all along the way, like from day one of the class?

Some people think they’re invincible. Some think they can wait until they’re all out of options, before turning to God. They will say, “I’ll let God in at the end of my life, when I’ve done all I want and need to do.” But, what if, tomorrow is the day you’ll be leaving this earth? You can’t cram in salvation then, can you? You can’t just say I’ve done some good things in my life, now, save me, God!

I’m not saying that you can’t be saved on your death bed, if you’re lucky enough to know you’re dying.

But, why waste your life? Don’t you want to live in peace, knowing that if you died tonight, you’d wake up in heaven? That’s such a wonderful feeling.

It’s not that I don’t have stress in my life. It’s what happens when I do have stress in my life that counts. I hand it over to God. Once my burdens are in His hands, I can be at peace. I can handle any test or trial that comes my way.

Don’t wait a day longer to give your life to God!

Proverbs 12:24 - “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”

Are you looking to others for affirmation? Are you striving to be noticed by others in your achievements?

I have found that looking to others for acceptance or approval fails to compare with the joy of God’s total acceptance and love.

I have found myself obsessing over attempting to correcting my flaws. God accepts us as we are, broken vessels in need of repentance and healing.

How do we break the barrier of wanting acceptance from others? One way is to be thankful for the blessings and prosperity just from being obedient to God.

This may be a foreign thought, but try to find and celebrate who you are in Christ. Are you living for Him? Are you obeying His commands? Are you serving others? This concept is about forgetting your own fleshly desires and selfish ambitions and intentionally going after glory so that our lives glorify God.

Psalm 112:5 - “God will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”

God wants to fill the void in your life. He wants you to prosper. He doesn’t want you to do things to be noticed. Rather, He wants you to notice others that are in need. I believe then, that the blessings and desires of your heart will be fulfilled.

Do you feel at times that your to-do list is three miles long? The cure for too much to do is solitude and silence. You see your inner self when you’re alone. Try it! Just quit doing and sit still; breathe. Be patient with God - if you’re not getting your way or have been waiting on a breakthrough that hasn’t yet come, it’s ok. It will happen in God’s timing.

In the wait, God is working on our behalf. In the wait, God is developing patience in us. In the wait, we can learn to be still and let God be God.

Have you ever noticed that if you let muddy water set and don’t disturb it, it will get clear?

So it is with God. Sit. Close your eyes, listen to the stillness. Better yet, open your Bible and read a verse. Close your eyes and meditate on it. It’s amazing what we can hear if we just stop talking.

Be still and listen. God’s trying to tell you something you need to hear.

It may seem muddy to you now, but the longer you’re still, the more clearer it will be.

If you think about it, God has a list of requirements to become His child.

1) Surrender your whole life to Him

2) Study His Word

3) Be faithful at all times, even in the storms

4) Worship and acknowledge Him daily

5) Tell others about Him

Get rid of the muddy waters in your life.

Isaiah 30:15 - “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning[a] and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”