How Many Roses Do You Count?

The old adage says, “Stop and smell the roses.”

And I like to add, “Stop and smell and then, count the roses.”

When you stop and encounter the beauty, it causes you to pause and reflect.

Yet, when you stop, encounter, and inhale, you not only pause and reflect, but it causes you to also embrace the reflection.

So, I wonder how many roses do we actually stop to count?

Take a minute to pause today. Or take a few more.

Smell the fragrance.

Reflect on the beauty.

And then, look around you and embrace all of its majesty.

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:28-33

Is the Tunnel Lit?

Too often, we get tunnel vision, and we can’t see beyond the destination.

But sometimes, we need to pause. Take a step back and let a little more light in.

With more light comes clarity.

With more light come purpose.

With more light comes Truth.

For Truth is Light, and light pierces the darkness.

Let the Light shine in today.

It will bring forth a better tomorrow.

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:5

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Silly Saturday

Get that sugar out.

You’re gonna need more.

And a little more.

Nope. Not enough.

More.

Oh, forget it. Give me the whole bag.

We’re pouring it all in!

Hope you’re laughing today! Enjoy your weekend!

And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”

Genesis 21:6

Funny Friday

Yeah, that’s right. We’re done.

I said it. It’s over.

And I won.

Wait. What?

What did you say?

Oh no not today, dude. It’s Friday.

We can’t have your mouth here today.

Here’s ya some tape to shut that trap…

Hope you’re laughing today! It’s Friday!

Enjoy your weekend!

(To everything there is a season)

A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;

Ecclesiastes 3:7

Where Does Your Heart Go?

When you’re lonely and feel no one cares, where does your heart go?

When you’re afraid and search every corner for harm, where does your heart hide?

When you’re broken and believe not one could mend a shattered piece, where does your heart reach?

Run to the Only One who can love unconditionally.

Hide in the Shadow of the One who can defend.

Take comfort in the Only One who can heal a ravaged soul.

He is looking, and He sees the child He created.

He is lingering, and He adores you.

He is waiting, and He loves you.

One touch, one word, one moment in His presence…

Your heart will never be the same.

He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:10-11

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalm 18:2-6

Silly Saturday

Let it all hang out.

Or not.

Or maybe just a little.

No, not that much.

Goodness gracious, that’s too much.

This world can’t handle all that.

You better put it all back in, or they might chase you down and finally commit you.

Just keep in tucked away till you need it most.

Hope you’re laughing!

Enjoy your weekend!

Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

1 Samuel 21:10-15

Funny Friday

Don’t worry. Saturday’s coming.

You will rest then.

But if not, just adopt this philosophy:

“You can sleep when you’re dead.”

Hope you’re laughing today.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend.

Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:14-16

When You Feel Small

All of us go through the struggle of feeling less than.

Less that perfect.

Less than amazing.

Less than good.

Less than we should be.

Never let those moments of low convince you to quit.

Never let those minutes of doubt persuade you to quit.

It’s natural. We’ve all been there.

But the great heroes in this world never let the failure consume them.

The courageous leaders we see never let the darkness overtake without lighting a match.

So, strike that wood. Let it spark.

And even if you have to blow in the embers,

Let the flame burn.

And keep standing taller.

You’ll eventually get there.

You can do this!

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Breathe In Deep

Take a minute to breathe today.

Breathe in deep.

Breathe in the fresh air.

Breathe in peace and serenity.

Breathe in sanity.

Breathe in goodness and grace.

Take a minute and regroup from all the chaos.

You will see better.

You will hear better.

And you will live better.

Just breathe again, and let your mind be consumed with the beauty that is before you.

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7