Last night I went to bed knowing that I was to lead a devotional during Soul Care at 6:30 a.m. without a clue as to what God might have in mind for our time.  I normally do not make this a habit, but for the life of me I could not get a sense from God.  So, headed to bed without clear direction does not make for a great night's sleep.

The alarm went of at 5:30 without even a trace of a dream to hang on to.  By 6:15 I was headed to Soul Care knowing that God would meet us where we were.  He lead our time in Psalm 23, through John 10:1-5 then on to Zeph 3:17.   May God's Word refresh and restore your soul. 

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.
 ⁴ Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death, ^[a]
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

John 10

The Shepherd and His Flock

 ¹"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ²The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. ³The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version)

 ¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love,
       he will rejoice over you with singing."

Strong Teams

Strong teams share some common traits.  They know the direction they are headed.  They bring it all and leave it all on the field each and every time.  They come as individuals with incredible strengths knowing they don’t stand a chance without their team mates beside them.  They celebrate each other, don’t always agree on every detail and are ready to step on to the playing field.  Focusing on results and growth they begin to move in sync as one.  They become family, living life in the thick and thin.

Great teams do not happen over night or by accident.  It is no accident that God has created you with strengths to be a part of something bigger than you could ever do or become on your own.  Each person influences family, co workers and friends 24/7 to follow God through living lives of integrity, compassion and love.  Don’t minimize your roles in real time life and the kingdom significance you have there

Yesterdays, Today and Tomorrows

 

So where did time go?  Time is now all those wonderful memories that I hold and treasure.  Thankfulness for the past and great hope for our future is some of God's great gifts.  

Take a look at your babies and know there will come a day that you will send them off into the world.  Help them get ready.  Teach them about Jesus.  Show them how to handle pain and disappointment.  Remember skinned knees teaches them that there is someone to help them up.  Show them how to rejoice in the Lord and all He gives them. 

Lauren emailed wanting my pie crust recipe.  Then it hit me.  I never taught Lauren how to make pie crust.  She has watched but we never took the time to actually have a hands on lesson, a hands on lesson of what makes a good crust or how a good pie crust feels in your hands while you are working with it, or the little secrets to making the crust beautifully golden.  I didn't ever get that done.  

Wow where did the time go?  

Time is today, this moment. At the end of each day, I long to live in the "No Regrets" zone.  Keep short relational accounts.  Love people well.  Listen more than talk.  Speak kindly even when you don't feel like it.  And when you don't do any of those things well take responsibility for it, seek forgiveness, get up and move on.  

I sent the pie crust recipe to Lauren.  She's a big girl now.  She'll figure it out, call if she needs anything and learn her own tricks.  Hope she shares them with me because I have a lot to learn.  :) 

Well I am on day number 9 of Dennis' 10 day trip to Honduras.  Man am I ready to see him.  I miss him like crazy.  The house is quiet, too quiet.  Cooking for myself stinks.  I can take about 3 or 4 days ok, 7 if I have to.  But 10?  This is nuts. 

One good thing to Dennis being gone?  Less laundry. Hummmmm, I think I would rather do laundry.  Did I just say that? 

Miss you darlin and come home to me soon!