Unafraid To Die

The Most Important

unafraidtodie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:46:56 +0000

Have you ever wondered who the most important person in the world is? If so today is your lucky day as I can answer that age old question. It is me!

What tipped me off? Well my first clue is that of all the people I know, from birth till now, I have spent at least eighty percent of my time thinking about me. That’s way, way more than anybody else. In addition any problems that affect me jump right to the head of the list. While I may feel sympathy for your troubles I can assure you they do not consume me like mine do.

And when I hear that you want something, sure I may be mildly interested. But when I spot something that trips my trigger man alive I am obsessed till it is in my little hands. My money, my health, my possessions, my happiness are all so super important. All of which validates my claim to be the most important person in the world.

But you know recently I’ve begun to notice something odd. When I have an “all about me” day at the end of the evening I don’t feel all that happy. Whereas when I slip up and forget to put myself first above all, you know by doing something wacky like thinking about others, I actually feel pretty good.

Naturally I find this change of heart puzzling. Could it mean that I am not the most important person in the world? That it is someone else? Could it be you, my neighbor, the woman with wild kids in the checkout line, or the guy standing by the side of the road holding a sign asking for a job?

And if so does that mean I need to start thinking differently; maybe less about myself and more about you? Maybe even going so far as to resign as the most important person in the world and treating you as if you’ve taken my place? True this seems rather drastic. But if that’s what it takes to make me feel happy when I slip under the covers at night, maybe it’s not such a bad trade after all.

^“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:34-36 NIV

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Custom

unafraidtodie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:11:57 +0000

What do you think of when you hear the word “custom”? Money right! We all know that the minute that word is associated with a product, whether it is custom made cowboy boots or a custom built home, it is of higher value than the run of the mill footwear or housing track shack.

But we’ve probably never considered that each and every day we have also meets the definition of custom. Though some of the minutes we spend in each 24 hour period may overlap with other folks still none of us has the exact same day. Because we are different our experiences are different. For example when hubby and I walk into a purse store, I’m pretty sure that his heart doesn’t speed up in excitement. And later as we relive our day, you can bet he won’t be thinking of that particular part of it with fondness, whereas I will likely linger over the memory of every gorgeous bag I saw.

And what’s really amazing is that each of these custom crafted days is not an accident. But instead is designed by God especially for us. Just like each pair of custom made cowboy boots is designed, cut, and sewn to fit the owner’s foot perfectly, each day He custom fits all that happens in our lives. Now that doesn’t mean that some days won’t pinch. But it does mean that we can rest assured that all that happens was meant just for us to learn from or enjoy and sometimes both.

So next time you have a day that isn’t fitting just the way you’d like, rather than feeling cranky, stop and remember that God placed you in the midst of this custom made moment as a gift of love and not punishment. And then pray Psalm 118:24 ^“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it”.

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11 NIV

“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” Psalm 119:66 NIV

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV

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In Touch

unafraidtodie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:50:21 +0000

We were getting ready to walk across the parking lot and she grabbed for my hand, holding it softly and with complete trust. In this simple gesture she could not have given me a greater gift. The sweetness of the moment and my great niece’s trust were a present money could not buy. And every time I think of it a smile lights my face.

That she had chosen me, among her family members, to keep her safe in crossing the parking lot warmed my heart. And yes I would have willingly thrown myself in harm’s way if that was what it had taken to protect her. In moments like this I can almost get a glimpse of the all-consuming-love God feels for us. And it makes it easier for me to keep my tiny hand in His, trusting that He will guide and keep me safe. Hoping that at least in some small way, this progress in faith on the part of one of his beloved children warms Him with a smile.

“Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28 NIV

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods”. Psalm 40:4 NIV

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV

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Slow & Steady Wins The Race

unafraidtodie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

A new year, a fresh start, a clean piece of paper on which to list all of your resolutions for the next twelve months. That’s right it’s the time of year when we are all encouraged to change ourselves. We are bombarded with newspaper advertisements showing the latest exercise equipment to help us quickly banish the pounds we piled on over Christmas. Along with one magazine article after another about all the changes we need to make without delay so 2012 has a chance to be the best year yet. The pressure is on. The clock is ticking.

All of which feels normal to me. High pressure and high expectations have been two of my lifelong companions. When change needs to be made I think it should be made immediately if not sooner. And I am not just impatient with myself. Sometimes God gets an earful too when I think He’s moving too slowly.

But the other night during prayer time, He squashed this habit by using my adult braces wearing experience as a teaching memory. Because of my age my teeth were more firmly set in my jaw bone. This meant that the process was more painful than it is for teenagers due to the increased force required to move my teeth into their correct positions. He reminded me that during this process I trusted my highly trained orthodontist to know just how much pressure and change to institute during each time he made an adjustment. Too little and no progress would be made. Too much and major damage could happen.

It then became easy for me to understand how He works in much the same way. True, God could move faster in making the changes we ask for. After all, all things are possible for Him. He is not the hold up. We are. As He works in us He lovingly takes into consideration just how much we are capable of handling at any one time. Too much and we could not absorb or process it. Too little and nothing would be accomplished. So now I’ve got only one resolution to work on for 2012…learning to slow down and happily wait as He does His work in me.

“LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.” Psalm 38:15 NIV

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18 NIV

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 NIV

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The Best Gift Ever

unafraidtodie — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:09:20 +0000

Those in the know say that even in these tough times, many baby boomers are treating themselves to all the things they didn’t get when they were growing up. Guys are out snapping up restored cars like the ones that were out of financial reach during their teens. And toys and dolls from the 50s and 60s, like Mr. Potato Head and Barbie, are hot again either as collectibles or as current day playthings for grandkids.

As we sit back this Christmas and watch the adorable children in our lives rip through pile after pile of gifts, so many they barely have time to register all the loot, it’s tough to imagine them ever looking back with longing at the gift they “missed.” I, on the other hand, don’t have that problem.

I know exactly what I wish my parents had given me. And yes just like the other baby boomers I’ve finally gotten the desire of my heart. Is there a shiny restored 1960s Mustang Convertible in my garage? Or a $150.00 Bob Mackie Circus Barbie Doll now proudly displayed on a shelf? Nope.

The Christmas gift that I was cheated out of was far more important than either of these. You see even though my parents made sure there were always a few presents under the tree, they never let Jesus into our house. Not even during Christmas. What a gift He would have been. What a difference He could have made.

So please if you are a parent or grandparent, aunt or uncle please find a way to gently bring Jesus into the lives of the children around you through your actions and your words. As one who lived so long without Him, I can assure you He is the best gift you will ever give them.

Merry Christmas and all Blessings to you and yours, MaryAnn

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9NIV

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”Mark 9:37 NIV

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:19 NIV

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Liar, Liar, Pants on…

unafraidtodie — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:39:06 +0000

I just hate being lied too. Always have. Always will. Yet I find myself stuck living with a big fat liar of the worst sort! You may ask why I don’t just leave. But it’s not that easy. After all how do I climb out of my own skin?

Those of you who know me may deny my claim. As you have seen how honestly I deal with others. True I will not lie to you. But to myself–now that is another matter entirely. For years I’ve told myself that I have a terrible memory. Yet I never seem to forget where the candy is in my pantry. I’ve convinced myself that if I don’t worry about things something terrible will happen. But history shows that this is not even close to being true. I’ve lied to myself over the years about how I have to face life alone with no one to count on. All while Jesus was right by my side just waiting for me to notice.

Yes I have indeed told some whoppers. But only in the quiet voice that lives in my head. And you may be able to relate. Have you ever convinced yourself that just one more Twinkie or pair of shoes will make you happy? That because your hair has turned gray you are no longer pretty? That this life is all there is to look forward to? Filthy lies each and every one.

So how do we quit lying to ourselves? By asking God daily to monitor our internal dialogue, replacing all the falsehoods with His truth, until being honest with ourselves becomes as natural as the truth we so easily give to others.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV

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For Granted

unafraidtodie — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:47:34 +0000

When Hubby began to have more time on his hands, he started pampering me by bringing my juice and vitamins to me while I leisurely got ready for the day. Oh how it warmed my heart to start the morning with this loving gesture. But now, after all this time, do I still smile when I see them sitting on my bathroom counter? Or do I only notice when they aren’t there, a whiny pout filling my head with “I am thirsty after my work out! Where’s my juice!!”

Sorry to say, though I try to catch myself, there are times when I’ve fallen into the trap of feeling like this loving gesture is now my due. And on the opposite side of the coin how does he feel? What started out as affection has, through repetition, turned into a duty. As the receiver it would be easy to demand. As the giver it would be normal to resent.

Which makes me wonder how on earth God puts up with us? How, when we take all the blessings He pours over us for granted time and again, does He continue to love us? Though I don’t know how He does it I am sure thankful that He does. And, for my part, during this season of Thanksgiving, I intend to do a better job of showing gratitude to both my hubby and God for all they do to add joy to my life.

How about you? Do you also need to shower God and some folks in your life with an extra helping of your thanks? If so, there is no better time to start than right this minute.

“that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.’ Psalm 30:12 NIV

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelations 4:11 NIV

“He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” Deuteronomy 10:21 NIV

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Delegating

unafraidtodie — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:42:19 +0000

One of my strengths in business has always been to surround myself with people who knew more about a particular subject than I did and then turning that responsibility over to them without hesitation. Naturally I watched their performance and progress. But as long as I was satisfied that they knew what they were doing I stuck to my hands off policy.

Since this has always worked so well for me in business I have decided to put this same policy into place for my personal life. After all rich folks have business managers and personal aids to make sure their lives run smoothly. And I don’t see why I shouldn’t do the same. Luckily I have found the perfect choice to depend on.

Jesus Christ has gladly accepted the job of handling all of my worries, concerns, guidance needs, and pretty much every other area of my life. And the good news is, since He excels at multi-tasking, He has plenty of time left over to take on additional clients.

Interested?

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 NIV

“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Job 12:13 NIV

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Dr. No

unafraidtodie — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:57:30 +0000

You wouldn’t think it to look at me, but James Bond and I have at least one thing in common. He battled Dr. No. And I lived with her. You see my mother’s first reaction to any question or request was NO! It didn’t matter what you asked or how reasonable the appeal. She wasn’t going to have any part of it. My dad would say in frustration that if someone ever showed up at our house with a bushel full of money to give us, she’d slam the door in their face.

And though this seems like a goofy response many of us do the same thing. God is knocking on our door and yet we refuse to let Him in. We try to solve our problems with potato chips, Jim Beam, online dating sites, and antidepressants. We fill our empty hours with web games, friends we’ll never meet or really know, and flat screens TVs that shows us lives we can’t have or wouldn’t want.

And as we waste time chasing after something to fill and sooth us, God is right outside. Patiently waiting for us to say yes to all He is and all He offers.

“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” —the things God has prepared for those who love him—“ 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

^“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” 1 John 4:15 NIV

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No Flip Flops

unafraidtodie — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:45:01 +0000

Your cholesterol needs to be 220. No maybe below 200. You need to take this medicine to prevent osteoporosis. Oh dear it looks like taking it long term may actually cause problems. Drinking coffee is bad for you. Gee we just figured out you should drink coffee. Chocolate is also bad. Oops now it’s good for you too. Stay out of the sun. No now we want you to be in the sun for natural vitamin D.

Why do these experts give us all this health advice and then turn right around and flip flop on it? I guess the best answer is that humans, no matter how hard they try to get it right, make mistakes. And knowing this makes me appreciate God even more.

After all, in a world where recommendations change daily, you can count on His word to never vary! When He gives you guidance, whether through His word written down two thousand years ago or through the leading of the Holy Spirit just this second, it never changes and it is never wrong! What a blessing this certainty, which only He can provide, is for us His children!

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19 NIV

“God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.” Psalm 55:19 NIV

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