Optimist-Pessimist-Realist-Me...

You know what the difference between a pessimist, an optimist and a realist is?  There are many jokes explaining the difference.  One I like is; a pessimist says the glass is half empty, an optimist says the glass is half full, and a realist drinks the glass of water and asks what's next.  And the difference between all three of these categories and me is...(drum roll please)... They chose to be classified, and I just chose to be happy! Yup.  That's it.  There is not a single thing to complain about in my opinion.  Even the worst of times that I may be going through, I thank God for.  I have been calleelf-righteous and sanctimonious, and have been told that the thin air on my high horse is affecting my thinking.  You know what I say?  I say, I am covered by God's grace and am not at all bothered by the words of those that do not understand.  It simply makes me smile.  

It's hard for people to understand or perhaps accept that a change is indeed possible.  What always was, doesn't always have to be.  As in, if a person acted  badly for a long period of time, doesn't mean that is how they will be for the rest of their lives.  Everyone goes through situations in life that changes them, and allowing that change to occur gives them an opportunity to not go back to what wasn't working.  Christ blessed the promiscuous woman, when no one else would dare speak to her and had casted her away.  She was anew in Christ and was cleansed. Christ died so that we can have that connection with our Lord without the guilt and condemnation we once felt.  He asks that we not commit the sins we once did. Ok, all mind games aside, let's see what our beloved Lord has to say on the topic of change and transformation.  

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."  

Ezekiel 36:26-27

"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." 

1 Peter 1:23

So what will you chose today?  Noticing that the glass is empty, full, or just drink it?  Try praising God and being happy perhaps, eh? If loving my God, and thanking Him for the blessings he bestows on me is being self-righteous and sanctimonious, then yes, YES I am that.  And I am not sorry about it.  I don't feel depressed, sad, lonely, angry, guilty or any other negative feeling.  As situations present themselves to me, I turn to God and ask for His help and His guidance.  I trust that He will see me through them as He promises us He will.  What God knows about me is more important than what others think about me. 

Nowhere to hide -

Q:  You want to tell me something?
A:  Like what?
Q:  You're hiding something from me.
A:  I have nothing to hide.  My conscious is clear.  What has happened?
Q:  "Every time you were keeping something from me, you were keeping something from me."
A:  I have no idea what's going on, but I know as God as my witness that I am not hiding anything as there is nothing to hide.  Nothing has happened.  
---

Ever been in a situation where you know inside out that you're right about something but the other person doubts you, regardless?  How has that situation gone for you?  Difficult no?  As you want to please the person you love, and not fight.  But there seems no way for you to convince them of your innocence.  Or better yet, your ignorance of what it is they feel you have done. In order to walk away from such a confrontation remember these words from our God;

"...Remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me (Your Lord).  You have been judged NOT GUILTY for all eternity.  Trust Me, and don't be afraid; for I am your Strength, Song and Salvation."  Interpretation from James 4:7; Romans 8:1-2; Isaiah 12:2

Our Lord also says; 

"...Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle.  This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade.  It is precisely where I want you -- the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power.  When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me!  Allow Me to fight for you.  Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence."  

Interpretation from Revelation 19:1; Psalm 91:1

The Almighty promises us that; 

"...I know every thought before you think it, every word before you speak it. My Presence impinges on your innermost being. Can you see the absurdity of trying to hide anything from Me?  You can easily deceive other people, and even yourself, but I read you like an open, large print book."  

Interpretation from Psalm 139:1-4; Ephesians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21

So when you feel cornered with no way out of a situation, seek the Lord and ask for His guidance and mercy.  For He knows you better than you know yourself.  Perhaps your loved ones get an inkling of something that you yourself haven't seen.  Instead of trying to prove your innocence/ignorance to them at a time when they are least receptacle to your words, turn to God and allow Him to work on your behalf.  If you truly trust in Him and ask for His help, He will let those that doubt know what the truth is.  You need not hide anywhere, as there is nowhere to hide from our God Lord Almighty.  Submit your troubles to Him and allow for His grace to work in your life.  

Lord help me through this troubled situation.  If there is something I have not acknowledged myself, please reveal it to me.  I trust You with my words, my decisions, and my life.  Let Your will be done.  Amen!!

  

Follow the leader

Have you ever played the game follow the leader?  I've seen it played in various ways and with different kinds of groups. In some groups it was played where everyone had to do what the leader was doing.  While in others, the group was all blindfolded and stood in a line.  Each person grabbed the shoulder of the person in front and followed wherever the leader took them; the leader was the only one not blindfolded.  What's the point to this you may be wondering.  Patience my friends, you know I don't bring up a topic unless it's relevant to what I want to discuss.  So playing games is enjoyable, right?  Enjoyable because it's pretend, and doesn't impact real life.  No?  What happens if you find out one day that life is a game. Do you do anything differently? If so what?

Well in the game of life, there is only one leader.  No you don't have to guess who.  And if you thought of anyone but the One and Only God, then you need to sort your priorities.  In a game of pretend, it's easy to follow the leader.  But when it comes to real life, and real consequences, we tend to forget who our Leader and Master is.  Instead of following His direction and commands for us, we tend to rely on ourselves.  Well how is that working out for all?  Yeah, some are doing really well; lots of money in the bank accounts, houses, cars, jewelry, everything you ever wanted or needed.  But do they have peace? Others are wondering whether they will have food to eat tonight, or shelter to sleep under.  No matter where you are in game of life, you must acknowledge the God who watches over you.

I'll share a brief story.  I was skeptical of God and His existence as I always looked at the inconsistencies in life.  Rich getting richer, when they don't worship.  Poor getting poorer when all they do is pray.  The bad getting away with crimes and never knowing God.  The good coming down with deadly disease when they follow all commandments of God.  I used to ask, how can a God that sees all this be the God to worship. Then like a flick of a light switch everything was illuminated (well not exactly, but it sounds better to say it that way). It took a very long time for me to understand and accept God's love, forgiveness, mercy and grace.  But now that I have, all my questions seem to be answered and I wonder how I ever questioned Him to begin with.  I know I wasn't alone though, as many question the same things.  You know what's cool? That our loving God wants us to ask Him these questions. To Him it shows that we're interested enough to care why certain things happen. However the wonder of it all is, that we may never truly understand even when He does respond. For He says;

"Understanding will never bring you peace. That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding." Interpretation from Proverbs 3:5-6

Know this!

God is in the midst of the weakest person, dying of thirst. So that he dies with peace in his heart.

Lord Almighty lives within the sloth who sits and eats all day. So that he feels sees right from wrong.

God walks with the crippled that can't feel his legs. So that he can feel alive.

Lord Almighty gives more to the greedy who has everything. So they may give back to the needy.

 God places His hand on the poor when they are too cold to sleep. So they can feel His warmth.

So no matter what sins you have committed or haven't committed in life, take a chance and follow the Lord. He will wash away all your sins and accept you with open arms into His holy presence. He will bless your heart and soul and allow you to feel His mercy in your lives.  Whether life is a game or not, our Lord is our Leader and Master and we must follow Him.  Follow His word, His messengers/prophets, His commandments, His mercy, His forgiveness, His compassion, His grace, His never ending love for us all. Sinners and saints alike.  Yes, it's a hard pill swallow, but that's the grace of God!  He loves us all so very much.  He has so much love to give, that every being on this earth can stretch out their hands to carry such bounties, yet it will still overflow.  Just surrender to Him my friends, and see what your tomorrow will bring. Follow Him!  Accept Him into your lives. Allow Him to lead you to the path of those He has blessed. Allow His Holy Spirit to lead you beyond borders you have created for yourselves. Give up the struggle of figuring it out for yourselves.  Just like a father takes care of his children, like a teacher teaches his students, like a captain leads his soldiers, like a president commands his country; our Lord is our Father, our Teacher, our Captain, and our President, all in one. Then why do you think twice about following Him?  The time of thinking is over. The time of acceptance of His will over ours is here.  

My Lord, let Your will be done in our lives and let us always follow You, Your Word, and Your Spirit. Amen!!!