I spent most of my early adult years trying to do life on my own terms.

Looking back, I see so many lost blessings; so many gifts from God that I rejected.

Oh, I did thank God occasionally for an answered prayer or an unanticipated favor.

At best, I had temporal faith. As long as I was getting what I thought I should have, I was grateful.

But this is no way to live life. I was trying to be my own god.

Not even trying to understand what God was doing, I missed out on blessings He had for me.

Until the day I turned my life around. I realized my temporary faith was fleeting on the best of days.

God wants us all in. He wants to be the center of our life. Once I understood this and started talking to God, like He was my best friend, my heart started to change.

A couple of decades later, and I’m so grateful for the blessings I receive, every day. I have my trials like everyone else, but I’m never going to let another blessing skip by me.

Be quick to listen; slow to speak. Be teachable; surrendered.

It’s God’s gift to you. Don’t miss out.

James 1:21 - “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

I’ve talked about teams before; being connected to people, having the same interests, the same goals.

Our current environment has forced us all to alter our lives to a new normal. We have been asked to stay home to prevent the spread of this virus.

To some, staying home, getting back to our family, is a wonderful thing. A time to reflect and continue our continuity within our family unit. It’s always been God’s desire for us to be together.

In the Bible, it tells us that we need each other. Together is better, but unfortunately there are broken families, lives crushed by disappointment and strife. Their view of togetherness is devastating.

How are these people doing in this crisis? I can only imagine.

But, there is good news; light in the tunnel. It’s finding a hope and a future. And the only way is through Jesus.

God calls us His Church. Oh, how I miss being together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I miss the hugs and encouragement of my friends.

Together is what God wants.

Reach out to someone who is lonely today. Text or call them and let them know they are not alone.

Together we can fight this battle and overcome this distraction of life.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Psalm 127:1 - “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

Have you ever made plans for something and nothing happened? Or, have you desperately wanted your life to go in one direction, and it went down a totally different path? I have, many times. It’s tough when you try to do your best and be good to people, but when things keep getting worse, you’re left to wonder why even try.

Looking back on life always brings wisdom. We learn from our mistakes. Or, at least we should. We can also learn from others.

I’ll admit, my 20’s and 30’s were reckless, selfish and downright rebellious.

I’ve learned one thing from those years. When you try and make your own plans, and leave God out, the results are never good.

Since I started trusting God with my life, my plans, I’m enjoying life. You see, once you relinquish all the burden of planning this or that, and you let God guide you, life gets easier.

What about you? Are you making plans for tomorrow; next month; next year? Does it include God?

God’s ways are so much higher than ours; His thoughts and plans, so much better than anything we could come up with.

Give your burdens to God today. He can lighten your load and take you on some amazing journeys.

I trust God with planning my life. After all, He’s already prepared my home in heaven.

The tomb is still empty.

Easter is here and many are spending the holiday a little different this year. The Easter bunny won’t come; you can’t wear your new dress to church; the egg hunt, non-existent. This is what most Americans are thinking about.

For those of us who are Christians, this Easter will be no different than last year. As a matter of fact, the day will be celebrated in the same way it has always been, as a Christian. We worship Jesus. We thank God for sending us His only Son, to die on a cross, for each one of us.

We celebrate the ‘empty tomb.' It’s still empty because Jesus conquered death. He was crucified for OUR sins. He was beaten and martyred, humiliated and broken beyond physical recognition. But, praise God, Jesus rose from the tomb on a day we celebrate as Easter Sunday. We know that He left the tomb alive! And, the best part is, He’s still alive. And, more than that, He’s coming back for us. He’s gone to prepare a place for His church (us) and will come back one day in the clouds, to take his church home.

Are you feeling empty today? Do you feel defeated and lonely; forgotten?

Yes, the tomb is still empty, but Easter offers an empty tomb, full of promise. The promise of tomorrow is yours today. Say YES to Jesus; give Him your life and enjoy the hope of eternity.

You are not forgotten! Jesus is alive!

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Have you ever driven a car on a country road, with all the twists and turns around every bend? There are speed limits posted for your safety, because if you were to try and drive that same road at a high speed, the results could be catastrophic.

The Bible tells us there are two roads we can travel. The wide or sometimes called broad road, is heavily traveled and crowded. The narrow road, where few travel, leads to eternal life.

The wide road represents the people who are going their own way, making their own plans; living destructive lives.

The narrow road is designed by God. His path is certain and leads straight to Heaven. There are speed limits (rules that we must obey).

God tells us if we give our life to Christ, He will plan our routes in life, and although filled with detours and road blocks, it will never lead to a dead end.

God’s road is for the few that follow Him; those that trust His guidance.

Which road are you on today?

Matthew 7:13-14 - “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

In my late 30’s and 40’s, I was introduced to hunting. I tried various types of guns, but my weapon of choice was a compound bow and arrow.

Although a little more challenging, it was fun to practice, trying to hit the bull’s eye.

With a bow and arrow, you have to be patient, but purposeful, direct and confident.

I’ve gave up hunting, and to tell you the truth, the only way I could kill an animal is if I was hungry and needed to eat to survive.

I relate the bow and arrow to my Christian walk. In order to be a Christ-like example, I must be confident in my talk about God. I need to be direct in relaying the message of salvation. And, my purpose is to do God’s will and win others to Christ.

I admire the hunter, skilled to be precise and dedicated.

Even though I may be finished with hunting, I’ll never give up telling others about God, and how He took a small town girl from West Virginia and put her on the mission fields of Peru.

Point to Heaven today. Keep your eyes on the God who created the heavens and earth.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

As a Christian parent, you hope that your kids will follow in your footsteps and take your advice. But, what if your footstep history was not one to be followed?

I’ll admit, in my early teens and 20’s, even though I was a Christian, my own rebellion led me to some devastating detours.

The good thing is, God never left me alone. He kept pursuing me, even though I didn’t want to be pursued. I wanted to do life on my own terms.

It took years of me struggling to make things happen, not relying on God for anything.

And just like that, one day I turned my life back to God. I asked for help and He gave it to me.

God brought me out of the pit and put me on the right path.

I do hope my kids follow God. Follow me? Not so much. I learned from my many mistakes. Mistakes I hope my kids don’t repeat.

Today I’m trying to be a Godly example to not only my kids and grandkids, but to those I meet, my friends and my church family.

Follow God as your example. He will lead you to brighter tomorrows.

Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Have you ever read a book, and you can’t stop reading because there’s a small bit of suspense at the end of the chapters?

You find yourself reading until you finish the book, because you want to know the ending.

Life may feel like a cliffhanger right now for some. You want to speed up time, so you can get on with your life. But, as many of you are aware, we have to abide by some rules and adjust our lives accordingly.

If you’re a Christian, you know that at this time this is not the end of the story. We have a hope for eternity. A life with God forever and ever. We know that the end of our story on earth is the beginning of life in Heaven.

Even so, I am looking forward to brighter days. I can’t wait to see my friends and church family again.

This time, more than anytime in my Christian walk has made me realize how precious life is. But more than that, it is how sweet it is to be alone with God; to watch Him during the day, move in people’s lives.

Are you excited for this next chapter of life? Does it include God?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,