#ogloriousday

..What have you been Called to do? What's WRITTEN in God's Word that you SHOULD be doing, but you are not?

Are you not Loving Others though we're commanded, encouraged, &instructed to do so? Is fear of Rejection or Hurt holding you back? Lay them both at the Foot of the Cross &Pick up the Courage to open your Heart & Love again. Realize that Love can& should be given. It can &should also be received. If it will take more than one prayer to Receive& Show it then KNOW THIS: You can believe in God& go to Therapy. One doesn't cancel out the other. God has provided us with his Word so that we may be DOERS. He has also equipped us with different gifts & talents so that we may build up &support each other as members of the Body of Christ. This means God has created those with the calling to Act&Serve as Therapists. So, Pray, Read his word,& Engage in the Healing that comes from working with a Trained professional. Beloved, begin the Journey of Healing so that you may be able to Love Others & Yourself again.

Are you holding a grudge& Refusing to Forgive someone? Refer back to seeking God& Therapy, let go of the grudge/Resentment & Be FREED!

Are you not being Hospitable or doing so with grumbling? Is there fear, a "?", or something else blocking you because of what's going on in the world? Then, Take a step back& consider: "traditional" approaches to being hospitable aren't practical, but the driving force/Call to show Kindness can still be honored without risking anyone's health. How? Drop off food or supplies at someone's front door/a shelter as part of a community effort/weekly give away. (At a time that you're free so it's a Blessing&not a Burden.) Or, send an eCard/ text to someone who could use a check-in, encouraging word, or just reach out. THEN, be OPEN to the possibility of a "thank you" turning into a conversation where Open Ears& Hearts can provide Love& Support to someone else.

Exposed. Embarrassed. Humiliated. Three words used to describe our feelings when we find ourselves in less than comfortable or welcome situations. Situations where we sometimes go into 'survival' mode and try to "Save Face" -> "Fake" like we're OK and Avoid showing Concern or Embarrassment.

Depending on the time and place, a little or a LOT of our energy and time is devoted to Engaging in whatever activity or behavior is necessary to appear "Unbothered".

Why? Because...It hurts to be betrayed and feel disrespected. It's not easy to acknowledge when we've been wronged or when we're in the wrong. It's not easy to look at our Mistakes and admit that we are flawed. And, many times it feels like it may be IMPOSSIBLE to Change our Habits, Correct Selfish behavior alone, or FORGIVE. Thankfully, we do not have to continue to "Save Face". Instead, we can "Seek Grace" when we remember that: "With God all things are possible" (Matt 19:26) and "I can do ALL Things through Christ who Strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

So, as October comes to an end and we face the last 2 months of 2020 let's try something New. Instead of trying to "Save Face", let's "Seek Grace".

God.

Reconciliation.

Acceptance + Acknowledgment.

Consensus, if possible. If not, Compassion, and always Confession.

Evolve.

Will Seeking GRACE be easy or look pretty? Probably not, but it's worth it. Why? Well, because We all NEED God whether we've been saved for 70 years or 7 seconds. So, Seek God, whenever you've been wronged AND when YOU'RE the one doing wrong. Seek Reconciliation*, when possible. Accept responsibility for your actions. Acknowledge your faults. Or, Accept that your past has passed and Acknowledge that God STILL has a future and a HOPE for you to Live and THRIVE. (Jer 29:11) Seek Consensus, even if you think it may be impossible to come to an Agreement. If it is? Then, agree to disagree. Why? Because sometimes we can admit our past mistakes, but struggle to recognize the patterns that initially led to them. Sometimes two people end up on opposite sides of a line in the sand. So, for the sake of Peace we must agree to Love from afar and move forward. In both instances, we should show Compassion if we can and always start with Confession. Confession to God, Self, and others. Then, we should seek to Evolve and let God work in, through, and around us. It will take time, but it will be a process where our Energy, Time, and Willingness to gradually develop into the people we have been Created to be will have a GREATER impact. How? Eventually we will become Better people. Better Brothers, Sisters, friends, and Children of God. In time we will become more: aware of our Actions, Proactive rather than Reactive, and more apt to either admit fault or acknowledge when we've been wronged so that we can ALL Heal and help heal those around us.

So, again, as we face the last 2 months of 2020 let's stop trying to "Save Face", let's "Seek Grace". Let's Forgive, Evolve, Heal, and be Reconciled*.

..Tired. If one word sums up 2020, this could possibly be it. Earthquakes, Weird Weather, Loss, COVID, civil unrest, injustice, pain, trauma, conspiracy theories, sad political and social truths, economic shifts, Isolation, Ignorance, Anger, Inconsistency, Fake News, False Truth, Fear,  Death, Disconnection, Mental, Emotional, and Physical Fatigue. 

Yea...Tired sums it up. And, thus far, 2020 is "One of those days" on repeat. It's understandable why so many have said that they're "over it". Or, "We can just throw 2020 away." Yet, we haven't. (Technically, we can't since it's only September). So, despite EVERYTHING that has -or hasn't - happened depending on our plans, this year isn't over. So, although you/we are Tired  there is STILL work to do.

Some are working from home. Some are working tirelessly to teach children who may not understand what's happening. Some are running on fumes and preparing for November elections. Some are burning the light at both ends working on therapies and vaccines. Some are making ends meet with LESS than what the national average says they should. Some are still falling in Love. Some are still finding peace and joy in the Sunshine. Simply put, Some are Still trying.

And, honestly, so are you. Yes, We're all tired in one way or another, but we're Trying. We've been through Silent, Slow, Difficult, and Rushed periods and seasons. We've been through heartache and heart healing. We've been in the Forest and in the Desert. We've been in the Valley and on the Mountaintop. Even when we've felt like we've been going through these things alone, we've gone through them TOGETHER; whether we knew it or not. So, BE ENCOURAGED today knowing this: You are NOT alone + This, too, Shall Pass.

You may be TIRED, but KEEP ON Trying. 

Keep trying to practice Self-care. Keep trying to Make time for your Family and Friends. Keep trying to Learn. Keep trying to Work (Or, find work). Keep trying to Teach the Next Generation. Keep trying to Feed those around you - with Physical and/or Spiritual Food. Keep Praising. Keep Praying. Keep TRUSTING God.

Why? Simple, Because we're called to & it's in our Spiritual DNA. It's part of God's plan for our lives.It's one of the MANY reasons we're still here, living,& seeking to Move Forward.

As you continue through this Day, Draw the Strength YOU Need from God's word. Be Tired, it's ok! But KEEP Trying. If you need Encouragement Remember that Galatians 6:9 says:  "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

If you feel alone, like you're the ONLY one still trying, be Encouraged! Why? Because Hebrews 12 reminds us that we are NOT Alone. We're surrounded by a Cloud of witnesses. Moreover, it says: "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. " (Heb 12:3) If you feel like you've been running on empty, that you're Tired of: trying,  waiting for change to come, running the race,  'fighting the Good fight', tired trying to muster the Strength to just Keep trying, remember Isaiah 40:31: "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Listen, it's been a LONG year thus far. We've all felt tired. We've ALL felt like giving up, but Here We Are in September still Seeking & Finding God, his Strength, his Peace, and the Motivation and Comfort we need in his word to: Keep Trying. In Spite of everything that has happened so far, we're STILL finding reasons to: Smile, Live, & Try again tomorrow.  So, Again, Be ENCOURAGED. Know that ONE DAY "Tired, but Trying" WILL turn into "Tired, but Finished", "Tired, but Hopeful", "Tired then, but Resting and Witnessing the FULFILLMENT of His Promises by Not Giving up now."

One last thing to note, IF you feel that you've reached the End of your "rope", of your "trying season", and you either feel like your running out of faith/ strength or you can't find a reason to make it to tomorrow know this: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! God LOVES you! God is STILL HERE for you! God is still LISTENING! No Man is an island & no Woman is a cave. You do NOT have to try to "make it through" by yourself. You Do NOT have to sit Alone, Abandoned, & in the Dark. Your END is not Here.  

.."Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last."

"For whom the Son sets Free is Free indeed".

Two quotes often heard independently, rarely juxtaposed, from two different times and two different sources. Yet, they both speak to one thing, Freedom. Today, on Juneteenth, many have celebrated, contemplated, and observed what it means to be Free. Some, however, still wonder if everyone is truly Free. And, with all that we have seen in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and as far back as we can remember or read, many wonder if true Freedom will ever come because for many there is the feeling that we're only "Free-ish".

Why? Well, on one hand Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words about being "Free at Last" from his "I Have A Dream Speech" often remembered from it's delivery during the March on Washington in 1963 echoes the hope, desire, and eventual realization of gaining more benefits of freedom for Black Americans. However, the shining light gained through the progress and triumph of the Civil Rights movement is often times dimmed as we witness the atrocities that so many Black Americans still endure. Beautiful children of God are ignored, overlooked, pandered to, used for laughs, ostracized for phenotypic differences, welcomed in churches, but rejected on street corners, beaten in broad daylight, and blamed for being... Black. Then, again, maybe the blame is only fear of seeing someone truly Free.

Still, the feeling that we are "Free-ish" could be attributed to feeling like a prisoner to sin. We constantly backslide, seek forgiveness, and then witness the pain, shame, and hurt that is caused by bias, ignorance, prejudice, racism, SIN time and time again. We struggle as we see the hate and lack of empathy and compassion that is held for a Brother or Sister by another brother or sister when we're all Supposed to be striving to Live and Love like Christ. We question the struggle when we realize you truly cannot "Love God who you have NOT seen , but HATE your brother who you have seen." And, maybe it's because we're not all seen as true Brothers and Sisters in Christ, fellow children adopted into God's family. Fellow Freedmen and Freed women. Why? Because if it's true that: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) then HOW do we continually find ourselves here? How do we continually find ourselves: Marching in the streets and Mourning in sanctuaries? Smiling on Sunday morning and Singling out for "routine checks" (profiling) on Saturday night? Offering shoulders to Lean on Verbally, but Turning them as we look away once we Hear the Truth from those in Front of us?

Today on Juneteenth as this day comes to an end may we ALL commit ourselves to doing two things. For my dearly beloved Black Brothers and Sisters let's continue to be (and strive for being) Free, not "Free-ish". Let's freely speak even if we're afraid. (For we weren't given a Spirit of fear to begin with.) Let's freely Love and Accept Genuine Love. Let's freely Stand, or Kneel, so that we can finally All see the day where what we've seen and experienced can truly be a memory and "Free-ish" becomes a thing of the Past.

For my White Brothers and Sisters and those who feel the need to critique the struggles of Black people or question the validity of historical days such as Juneteenth for their Black Brothers and Sisters commit to P.A.U.S.E.

Yes, PAUSE.

Ponder - your reason for questioning another's struggle. And, Pray- for Guidance. Accept - that just because we're different it doesn't mean we're unworthy of Love, being Listened to, or simply Living.

Unlearn - any bias, ignorance, prejudice, hate, and microaggressions you may have.

STOP and SURRENDER -to God, his Word, his Love, the true Redemption and Reconciliation that comes from being born again through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Evolve - from who you USED to be and what you USED to know and do so that you can TRULY treat your Black (Native American, Asian, Hispanic, etc) Brothers and Sisters as the Beautiful, Diverse, Intelligent Children of God that we Are! And,

Engage - those around you who have yet to see the Light and remove the log from their own eyes until they can see clearly too. (Of course, this means truly removing the logs from your own.)

Will the work be easy on either end whether you're Black or White? No, but it is worth it. We are burdened by the Sin of Racism and dark side of our humanity. Some have been bearing the weight for too long and others are just now seeing that the weight wasn't lifted in Jan 1863, in 1865, in 1963, in 2009. Instead, it was repackaged for some. As a nation, world, Body of Christ, we are Not OK. But may we not grow weary of doing good. May we commit to letting God lead us, dealing with our heart issues, and removing the systems, schools of thoughts, and barriers that have caused pain and setbacks.

As we commit to doing this work, may we: "Let Freedom Ring". For who? For our Brothers and Sisters. Black, Native American, Asian, Multiethnic (for we are all Human), immigrant, educated, and those deemed less 'socially refined' by unfair standards when they're just as Precious in God's sight as we are.

While we work let us pray.

For some: "Lord, Open my eyes to the hurt and pain of those around me. Open my ears so that I may hear you, clearly. Correct me and Forgive me of my wrongs. Use me to Help heal and Uplift the men and women who have been hurt by either my ignorance or by the intentional actions of others. Help me to do the work I was born to do, Lord, to truly be your Vessel."

For others: "Lord, Heal my heart. Open the eyes of those who see my skin and think I am less than when I know YOU SEE ME and I AM Loved. Open their ears so that they may hear. Lord, I am angry, I am tired. Please Give me the peace and Joy that Only comes from you. Change the hearts of those who persecute and ridicule us. Give me, all of us, the Strength to continue on."

Amen and Amen.

Let's commit to change. Why? Because.

We can do this. We shall Overcome

.. We have all heard the saying: “The Busier, the Better”. At some point in time, we have all said: “I’m so busy.” Or, “I’m too busy”. We have all filled our calendars and “free time” with work, hobbies, meetings, gatherings, obligations, productive pursuits, and pursuits to simply “occupy” our time and our minds. BUT… Is it always worth it? No.

Being busy doesn’t always mean you are DOING better. Being busy doesn’t always mean you are more valuable than someone who has free time. Or, that because you are not busy you are less productive or worthy. Of course, it is hard to imagine this in our world. A world where those who succeed don’t sleep. A world where, sometimes, the more overloaded your calendar is the better you look in the eyes of your peers, managers, and bosses. A world currently at a standstill. A world that has shown us that, depending on the task and purpose, “Busy doesn’t always mean Better”.   

Instead, Busy sometimes means you’re moving too fast. So, in haste we make mistakes. Then, we are left to deal with the guilt, embarrassment, criticism, worry, and burden of a “do over”. Why? Because we are, or were, stretched too thin. Because our focus isn’t always on one task, but 20 tasks. It's a habit. A habit of "Busy", of rushing. 

We rush from meeting to meeting, constantly Focused on the Future and Missing out on the Present. We Rush to Raise our kids, but forget the Blessing and Lessons that come from walking alongside them as they grow. We rush to work, but miss appreciating the sunrise during our drive. We rush to start working, but miss the chance to say “Thank you, God, for my job.” Or, ask our co-workers how they are. We work from home and Rush to Maximize how productive we can be - or are - without a commute. Yet, we miss the chance to Reconnect with God through his word and prayer. Or, with our family and friends. We Rush to find New and Better employment, but miss the chance to truly SEEK God and LISTEN to his voice so we are Led to the Right opportunity and workplace. Or, led to be Honest in our interviews letting potential employers know: “I am ready to work, but work - life balance is Priority.”

No, "Busy" doesn’t always mean "Better". Why? Because.. Busy sometimes means we are occupying ALL of our time to Prevent a moment of Reflection where we must Admit our faults, seek God’s forgiveness, and receive His help. His help in being reconciled with those we have hurt. His help in Finally being able to Forgive those who have caused us pain. Busy sometimes means we are Burdened, unintentionally or unnecessarily, instead of "Casting our cares upon the Lord" (1 PT 5:7). Busy sometimes means we are trying to Control everything instead of Sharing the load. Busy sometimes means we lack Trust in others, in God, in ourselves. And, If God isn’t Leading us, being Busy will.

“Busy” will lead you to Burnout. “Busy” will lead you to Pride. “Busy” will lead you to Loneliness because you neglect God given relationships in exchange for Temporary worldly Accomplishment and “success”. “Busy” will lead you to the Verge of a Breakdown. “Busy” will lead you to rock bottom on top of the mountain and the moment where you FINALLY Surrender all to God. And, this is the only “good” thing about being “Busy”; when it FORCES you, me, US to reflect on what’s best. When it forces us to FINALLY See that God’s plan is Best, that God is our “Better”.

..This morning, like every other morning, I opened the blinds to let in a little natural light. And, today that is NOT Much.  We're under a Severe Thunderstorm watch (and a Lake Wind Advisory = wind between 20 - 35 mph) and, now, a Tornado warning. Basically, the view is less than ideal. Looking out of the window, I realized that if my mood reflected the weather I would be less than chipper, feeling a little down, and completely Unmotivated  to work or do much of anything. And, with Staying at Home still being observed there's really nothing to do anyway. Then, out of the corner of my eye I noticed something was different and surprisingly beautiful. The little magnolia tree in the back had new blooms today, of ALL days. 

Now, yesterday, a day that started with partly cloudy skies that transitioned to the right amount of sun shining for almost 13 hours and a decent 10 mph wind the blooms weren't really "there". There was something, but not much to look at other than the leaves. (And, the two flowers that had bloomed earlier, but had browned quickly). Still, with all the sun, warm air, and what seemed like near perfect weather the rest didn't bloom. So, what's the point?

Well, with every seemingly appropriate thing going on outside yesterday,  the transition from winter to Spring, time change, and the full return to life of the natural world, it wasn't the Right time for the flowers to bloom. With everything going on today, the sky seems to match what a LOT of people may be feeling (i.e. bleakness, worry about the pandemic, bills, school, delayed events and graduations, and a general pause of being able to Live Life). Today, like many days for some, there is not much hope or joy to be felt in the midst of a still season and the threat of a Storm. And, Isn't that how things may have seemed for a while now for many of us? We feel like we're almost there, like we SHOULD be at the next stage in life, like we got "Stuck", like we're running out of time, and so we're rushing to play "catch up" then BOOM something ELSE happens and we slowly and sadly accept that it still isn't the right time. 

So, what should we do? Well, first, Let's take a step back. What seems like the perfect day, time, or season based on what's happening for someone else or what's going on around us, may not be the BEST time or season for US as individuals. Putting a pause or another delay on your plans is hard. Sitting at home is hard. Feeling stuck because of storms and situations that are out of our control, or even result from past mistakes that we've repented for, is HARD. BUT God. 

God knows what we're going through. God knows what he's doing. God knows what he's preparing us for. God knows when it will be the RIGHT time for us to BLOOM. Just like the Blooms this morning bloomed today, just before a storm, God knows how and when to set us up to enter into a New Season. God knows how to Equip us, Heal us, and Guide us to our next Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, and sometimes Physical place. So...

Let. Him. Lead. Pray and Listen to his voice. Let's not rush to bloom too fast. As hard as it is, let's slow down and Lean on the Lord. When the time is right, we'll Bloom, we'll Excel, we'll see Promises Fulfilled. Even if there's a storm around. The pandemic has caused a lot of us to literally Drop Everything - especially travel plans and social gatherings. However, it's Set us up for having More time. More time for family calls and dinners. More time to Rest. More time to Study and Read. More time to Reflect on Who we are, Where we're going, and what Changes we should make. More time to Heal. More time to Weep if we are in the habit of Socializing and working our pain "away", which basically means we Ignore it until we're forced to deal with it head on. More time to Talk and definitely more time to Listen. 

..Listen... Can I be honest? Actually, Can WE Be honest? This past Year, Season or Decade, may have been great, but there were times when many of us felt like it was an ongoing cycle of Loss. A loss of Friends, Loved ones, a Relationship (platonic or Romantic), a Job, a Chance to reinvent yourself, an Opportunity that 'slipped' through your fingers, peace about your next step, or maybe even a loss of understanding your Purpose in Life. BUT Listen. 

God Can, God WILL, and GOD is About to RESTORE it ALL! 

It may be hard to Imagine, but it should NOT be Impossible to believe. Why? Because His word reminds us that for all the Struggle, Setbacks, Sadness, Stagnation, and Suffering experienced, He ALWAYS Restores His Beloved Children (1 Pt 5:10).

As 2019 comes to an end, as another decade comes to a close, and as 2020 begins be Encouraged and Know that Restoration is on the Way! For EVERY thing, person, chance, battle, and SEASON where You feel you  LOST your Peace, Love, Joy, Safety, Security, Confidence in Who you are, WHOSE you are, and WHAT or Who you are CALLED to be KNOW THIS:  God will, and HAS already, RESTORED YOU! 

End this year, this Decade, with more Confidence and Faith applied to your "Let Go and Let God" mindset. End 2019 and Begin 2020 with an "I will Let Go and Let God. I will Keep Praying, Start Praising, Speak Life, and Declare that "I am RESTORED" approach.  

Let your Fear Go. Let your Hurt Go. Let the Last Tear fall from your Eye. Let your Past stay in the Past. RELEASE your Frustration. REJECT the feelings and mindset that Despair, Doubt, and Stagnation are your Destiny. RECEIVE your Peace. RECOGNIZE that God hears your Prayers and STILL has a Plan for your Life! READ and Re-Read His Word! RECOGNIZE that you ARE an Overcomer.  REMEMBER that You are Not Alone. You are NOT the Sum of your Losses. You are Loved. You are Cared for by God. You will, you are, and you can Be RESTORED! 

..Anger, it's an interesting emotion. So many times we are reminded as Christians to "Turn the Other Cheek" and follow the Golden Rule ("to do unto others as you would have them do unto you" Matt 7:12). Then, we are confronted with reality. The stress of Life, plans that don't work out, difficult people, the person who cut you off in traffic, the stranger who said one too many curse words, the family member who just can't seem to "get it together", the problem that won't go away, the setback, struggle, scandal, injustice that makes you want to lay down your Salvation and pick up the behaviors, patterns, and vocabulary of the World we live in for a second, minute, day. Sometimes anger makes you Forget who you are (a Child of God). Sometimes anger comes along with fear, guilt, regret, self-doubt, and lashing out.

Yet, in Ephesians 4:26-27 we are reminded of three things. First, it is ok to Be Angry. Second, we are reminded of something that is often dismissed, ignored, and sadly overlooked. We are remined to Not Sin. Third, we are reminded to "not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

But what does that mean? What does it truly mean to both experience and feel anger, but not sin? What does it mean to live in this Broken world with the problems that we see at home and abroad, with millions ignored and attention paid to nonsense and NOT let the sun go down on our anger? Or, give an opportunity to the enemy or the flesh to push us over the edge?

Well it may mean this..

First, we acknowledge that God is in control. Why? Because despite the anger and wrongdoings, God STILL Loves us, he STILL loves those around us, and His word assures us that "All things work together for good" (Rom 8:28). Second, as we recognize our anger we pray. In the midst of our anger, we take a Step back and Organize our thoughts and reset our Hearts so that our actions (or reactions) do not fall into the "Two wrongs" category. Third, it may mean that we begin to Use that Anger to Fuel us and Push us to Confront Sin and do Good, to Pray, to get to Work, and give a Helping hand to those in need; a Voice to the Vulnerable. And, finally, just as we first Acknowledge God because he is In Control, we Ask God to help us to make it through. We ask God for Clarity, Understanding, and Peace.

Yes, anger is an interesting emotion. "But God." No, literally, But God. God knew we would experience anger. He also knew that we would sometimes forget that after "Be Angry" we're told to "Do Not Sin". Still, he Loves us through our Anger, just as he loves us through our Sin. Through his word, He teaches us HOW to deal with our emotions. He teaches us HOW to be Angry (at Sin), but not to forget that we are now Saved and called to turn away from Sin. He teaches us HOW to be Human and Humane. He reminds us that He IS with Us through Every Stage of Life. He helps us when we are Vulnerable so that we may become Victorious.