Packing For Vacation? Leave Your Baggage Behind

All nature is within your hands; you make the summer and the winter. 

– Psalm 74:17

My family is getting ready to go on our annual trip to Lake Powell in Utah.  If you’ve never been to Lake Powell, imagine filling the Grand Canyon up with water and turning it into a playground.  We waterski, tube, jet-ski, and cliff jump.  Well, my husband and the kids do.  I’m afraid of heights, so I’m content to just floating down the slot canyons or nap on the boat.  Since the temperature on the lake will be close to 100 degrees, we will live in the water all day.   I can’t wait!

Where’s your favorite summer vacation spot?  What fond memories have you collected there over the years?  Do you find once you reach your summer vacation destination, you relax and are more content than anywhere else?  

Contentment is such a tricky emotion.  In the past, I’ve found myself on a “dream vacation” unable to stop worrying about my concerns back home.  I tend to pack my problems in my suitcase and them along with me.  

Harry Chapin sings a song with the lyrics, “You can travel 10,000 miles and still stay where you are.”  He’s absolutely right.  We take our emotional baggage with us on vacation.  How ridiculous it that?

Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 shares the “secret” of contentment.  He says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Paul stayed in fancy houses were servants brought him delicious foods.  We can stay in five star hotels or all inclusive resorts.  Paul also experienced life locked in a Roman prison.  We can get locked up in our own prisons of problems, bitterness, anger, resentment, or addiction.  Paul had contentment everywhere he went.  Can we tap into his secret? 

Paul’s contentment was grounded in two principles

.

• Knowing God intimately.   In doing so, Paul was able to see things happening from God’s perspective.  His mind was elevated to an eternal viewpoint where God rules and reigns no matter what. There’s contentment in releasing the control to God.

• Adopting God’s priorities.  While chained to a Roman guard, Paul shared his faith in Jesus instead of complaining about prison food.  He kept his eyes on Jesus at all time and looked to Him for strength every day.  

So this summer, let’s take Jesus with us on our vacation and leave our emotional baggage at home.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Listen and Learn When The Wise Rewind

Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean revel in Him! – Philippians 4:4 (MSG)

This summer I have had the amazing opportunity to eat lunch with women who are more “seasoned” than me.  I marvel at their stories of what life was like growing up in the 1940’s and 50’s.  The changes that our country has seen in the last 60 – 70 years blows my mind.  Their life stories are filled with love, loss, sickness, health, and the challenges of aging.  Yet, each one of them is able to point out how God’s blessings have followed them throughout their lives.  As we eat, toast, and celebrate God, I imagine Him in heaven, smiling down on our lunch table.

When I’m sitting across from these women, listening to their awe of what God has done for them, time slows and I am comforted in knowing that God is good.  Generation after generation God loves His children, protects and provides for them: through wars, divorces, deaths, and even raising teenagers.  These women give me hope that my life won’t always feel like a crazy roller coaster.  They steady me with their strong faith.

We can celebrate what God has already done in our lives and look hopefully into the future, knowing that He never changes.  He will continue to bless our lives and place people in our paths we can share our faith with.  Raise your glass and toast God today!

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Dumpster Diving

“Things are not always as they seem.”

More often than I care to admit, I find myself in embarrassing situations where all I can do is laugh with the people laughing at me. 

Today, for example, I stopped at the gas station on my way home from getting duplicate keys made at The Home Depot.  Following our usual gas station drill, the kids and I rifle through the car and throw all our accumulated trash into the bin near the pump.  (My teenage daughter has been driving that car lately, so today was quite a haul).

When we got home, I realized that the two key duplicates were missing.  My brain flashed back to the gas station.  They had been in a small, lightweight paper bag, so my youngest daughter must have thrown them out.  I quickly retraced our steps.  Standing next to the gas station trash can, I peered inside.  Thankfully it had not been emptied.  I could still see some snack wrappers that were ours.

I looked around and since everyone seemed to be busy filling up their cars, I decided to go for it.  I quickly sorted through the trash on the top.  No luck.  I’d have to dig deeper. Since my arms were too short to reach the bottom of the canister, I pulled off its plastic covering and hauled the bag out on to the concrete.  Throwing stealth to the wind, and gagging a little, I opened the bag, hunched over and started sorting through soda cans, chewed gum, half-filled coffee cups, and used napkins. 

As hard as I tried, I could not find the keys.  As I stood up to put the trash bag back into its container, my eyes met a couple sitting in a big Ford pick up truck on the other side of the gas pump.  Their windows were up, but I knew they were talking about me.  As soon as our eyes met, compassion seemed spread over their faces.

Hoping to explain myself, I walked over and motioned for the man to roll down his window. “We were talking about how we might help you,” he said.  I explained the mystery of the lost keys and we laughed out loud together.  They were thankful I wasn’t dumpster diving and I was thankful for laughter to replace my stress.

 Driving away from the gas station I was reminded of how quick I am to judge others.  I judge the single mom on her phone at the playground.  Shouldn’t she be playing with her toddler?  I judge the homeless man on the corner holding a cardboard sign.  Couldn’t he work at McDonald’s?  

The Bible teaches us in Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

Who have you judged lately?  Could their circumstances be different than what you see?  What if we let compassion replace judgment and kindness replace criticism?   

What if we paused and didn’t jump to conclusions?  We just might be surprised what we discover, like the missing keys that had been in my purse the whole time. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Wow!

I praise You because Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

– Psalm 139:14

Last weekend, I was reunited with Sharon, a best friend from high school, at her twin sons’ lacrosse tournament in Denver.  We met when I was thirteen years old and the “new kid in town.”  Sharon was one of my first friends, maybe because we were so alike, maybe because she saw a scared mid-western girl getting teased because of her weird accent.    

When Sharon and I were thirteen, we rode our bikes all over town.  We rode to the convenience store for Cadbury Crème Eggs when they hit the shelves before Easter.  In the summers, we biked to other friend’s houses to swim in their pools, and to the “Rez”, our town’s reservoir, which was off limits to swimming.  We ignored the signs and dove in. 

All these years later, Sharon and I drove her twin thirteen-year-old boys to Rocky Mountain National Park.  We hoped to show kids growing up in Maryland what real mountains look like and how the air can get real thin at 12,000 feet.  Sitting in the back seat, the boys were intrigued to hear stories about the West and about our adventures living in Colorado.  All the while, their mom watched the high attitude landscape out her window taking pictures of snow covered mountain tops, herds of elk, and blue skies turning to storm clouds.  All she could say over and over again was, “WOW!”

When have you been blown away by God’s beautiful nature surrounding you?  When did you last see God’s wonderful creation in full glory?

When 3pm rolled around, I asked them what they were thankful for.  Together, without pause, they shouted, “OUR FAMILY!”  I know their mom, my dear friend for over thirty years, received a wonderful blessing at that moment.  I smiled because she deserves it.  

You might not venture to 12,000 feet this week, but you can find signs of God’s wonderful hand at work all around you, and when you do, say “WOW!” and give God thanks.  After all, He deserves it.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Who Are You?

Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God. – John 1:12

In church last weekend, we sang the song “No Longer Slaves.”  As the worship team sang, I was moved to tears by its powerful message:

“I’m no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

From my mother’s womb

You have chosen me

Love has called my name

I’ve been born again

Into your family

Your blood flows through my veins

I’m no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God”

Many of us search for a sense of belonging.  We join clubs, committees, friend groups, schools, and churches, seeking to “fit in” and be a part of something bigger and more meaningful than ourselves.  In a sense, we are searching for an identity. 

When was the last time, though, that you let the concept that you are God’s child define your identity?  It’s true!  You are God’s son or daughter, given an inheritance of unconditional love that can never be taken away.  God calls you by name, His precious child.

The sermon on Sunday was about The Prodigal Son in the Bible who disrespectfully asked his father for his inheritance early, then left his family in pursuit of “wild living.”  I was struck when the pastor pointed out that the prodigal son was not just running away from his family, but from God.  At that moment, it hit home that we have ALL, at one time or another, turned our backs and run from God.

Before God woke me up to His presence and love, I had spent years ignoring Him, “pulling myself up by my bootstraps,” and forgetting that I was His child.  It’s no wonder, those years were filled with worry, anger, and paralyzing fear.  Thankfully God used a simple 3pm alarm to crack my wounded heart wide open and begin a good work in me. 

It was probably three years into the Wake Up Call from God that I accepted the fact that I was God’s daughter, completely and unconditionally loved.  I spent months telling God at 3pm every day, “Thank you for loving me.  Thank you that I am your daughter.”

Last Sunday, I was reminded of that prodigal daughter who finally came home to where she truly belonged.  Tears of gratitude ran down my face as I thanked God for adopting me into His forever family.

Today be reminded, you are no longer a slave to fear.  YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!  That is who you are.  You too are known and loved by God.  You are in God’s forever family. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Plug Yourself In

Jesus was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power.  Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve Him.

– 2 Corinthians 13:4

I could certainly use more of God’s power in my life.  How about you?  I’d like to spend each and every day knowing His power was helping me accomplish the work He specifically designed for me to do.

When many people think of God’s kingdom, they think of heaven.  While this is certainly true, I believe that God intends his kingdom to include the earth we live on now 

In the Lord’s Prayer it says, “Thee kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  God wanted His kingdom on earth to flourish in Jesus’ time as well as today.  God created each of us with unique gifts and talents so together we can fulfill His plans on earth, “For such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)  

But how can we tap into God’s power to better understand our purpose on earth now in 2016?  That’s the “million-dollar question” for all of us who desperately what to grab hold of God’s plans and not miss His divine assignment.

I’ve been praying and asking God for more of His power as I strive to better understand the next steps for the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Ministry.  I’ve specifically been asking God to teach me how I can know for sure that I’m heading in the right direction and fulfilling my part in His kingdom.  Here’s an exercise that’s been helpful:  

Use each letter of the word POWER as a reminder of how to better receive it, so we can do our part in His kingdom on earth.  

P – Prayer to God – Give God thanks, praise, and ask Him for direction

O – Obedience – Obey God’s commands and walk in His ways

W – Word – Read God’s Word to know God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit intimately

E – Every day – Decide to follow God day by day and stand firm in your faith

R – Remember at 3pm – Wake Up, Look Up, Give Thanks and Live Out your faith

Romans 8:11 proclaims the truth, the same POWER that rose Jesus from the grave, lives in YOU!  Tap into it day by day and see how God can powerfully use your life for His kingdom!

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Pennies From Heaven

Happy 4^th of July America!

In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us.  This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” – Isaiah 25:9

How’s your day going so far?  I’d love to see a snapshot of where you are when you receive this 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call.  I’m guessing many of you are at BBQs with family and friends.  Maybe you’re relaxing by the beach or poolside with a cool drink.  Or maybe you’re cooking and sweating getting ready for company to come over.  

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing to celebrate the 4^th of July, let this quick message be a reminder to pause and thank God for the freedom we enjoy every day in the United States of America.  Let your heart fill with gratitude and trust.  Remember, we trust in God.  Those words are displayed on every one of our US coins.  

You might find this crazy but I place a penny facing up with the words, “In God We Trust” in every room of my house.  If you came over you’d spy a penny on the window ledge in the foyer, one next to the sink in the kitchen, another on the washing machine in the laundry room, one next to my bedside… (My kids do think I’m nuts). I find that I need visual reminders to refocus my heart and mind to trust in God, especially when I’m busy trying to accomplish daily tasks in my own strength.  

A simple penny can capture our attention and speak truth into our day. It sure is an inexpensive way to wake us up to God’s presence in our lives.

Today, wherever this holiday finds you, let’s toast and celebrate the God who is worthy of our trust.  Let’s thank God for His blessings of freedom and salvation.  

Happy 4^th of July!

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Happy 4th of July Sunday

It was for freedom that Christ set us free (completely liberating us); therefore keep standing firm. 

– Galatians 5:1

The older I get, the more I ponder what it truly means to be an American.  I’ve been thinking about how blessed our country has been over the past 240 years.  Many nations don’t even last that long.  Our nation has thrived!

Think for a moment about all the inventions that have come out of America: electricity, the automobile, skyscrapers, disposable diapers, microwave ovens, personal computers, email, space shuttles, laser printers, fiber optic cables, chocolate chip cookies, credit cards, the Internet, hand held mobile telephones (all of them, really, I looked it up…).  American ingenuity has been a major driver of worldwide change.

I believe that one of the reasons our country is so incredibly blessed is that God first set us free through His one and only son Jesus, then God set up our nation to live in that magnificent freedom.

Today, let’s stand in awe of what God had done in our great country. Let’s instead stand firm in our belief that God still rules and reigns, blessed and guides our great nation.  

Let’s thank God for our:

• Freedoms
• Land 
• Families
• Friends
• Inventions
• Homes
• Neighborhoods
• Towns & Cities
• Schools
• Roads

Thank You God for Blessing America!

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Vanity Plate

Jesus said, “I will put my trust in Him.”

– Hebrews 2:13

I merged on to the highway and tucked in behind my son’s favorite “fancy” car, a blue Tesla.  It shone bright and beautiful, even viewed through my dirt-covered, bug-squashed, dinged-up windshield.  It was surely garnering the attention of every car in its vicinity.   

As the Tesla sped up and changed lanes, something else caught my eye.  I accelerated to catch up and confirm that what I’d seen was really true. When I (finally) did, I shouted out to myself “Way to go Mrs. Tesla!  Yes!  Me too!”

Its rear license plate read, TRSTNGD. (Trust in God)

If you could write one to two words on a vanity plate, what would you say to the world?  What is the theme of your life, your heart, your mission?

I was thinking mine would say, 3PGVGDTHX. (3pm Give God Thanks).  It’s taken me a long time to figure out God’s plan for my life.  I’ve tried many different things and put on so many different hats in pursuit of, “God’s will for my life.”  Although some of these assignments have been exciting or rewarding, many have left me feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.  

What I’ve learned along the way is that wherever we are, whether we’re living out God’s plans for our lives or way out in left field, we are to always have a trusting heart.  God can use a dead end job to lead you in a different direction.  So trust Him during the next application process.  God can use a relationship ending to move you closer to Him and away from destructive patterns.  So trust Him while you’re alone and reflecting.  Trust Him both when you’re sure of where you’re headed as well as when you’re wondering, “How in the world did I get here?”

When Jesus said aloud, “I will trust God,” He showed us the way God desires for us to live.  Jesus knew going to the cross for the sins of the world would be extremely painful.  The night before He died, He asked God to relieve Him of the coming burden.  In the end, though, He surrendered His life and chose God’s will.  Jesus trusted God fully and so can we.

Ask yourself, what area of my life do I need to be TRSTNGD with? Now ask God to lead you in the direction He has for you.  A challenging but invaluable prayer you can pray is:  Lord God, use my life, lead me on, I will follow you.  If you pray that prayer, buckle up your seatbelt because your wild, adventurous ride with God is about to take off.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

God's Got Your Back

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:6-7

Our middle daughter is terrified of needles.  At age 6, she hid from a pediatric nurse in an exam room storage cabinet after hearing she needed vaccination shots.  Later, at age 8, it took three adults to hold her down on the gurney so her pointer finger could be numbed and stitched back together after her older brother ice skated over it.  She didn’t mind the stitches, but the needle sent her through the roof.

Take some time to notice the anxiety of people around you  Here are a few snap shots of the anxiety I witnessed this week.  At the park, a young mom was panicking because her toddler lost his special toy and had wandered off to search for it.  A school aged girl was anxious because her face is dotted with pimples.   A teenage girl scrambles around before a date… does this look OK? No? Why not?  I saw several impatient drivers beeping horns, passing on the shoulder, and driving illegally through a meadow to enter a frontage road because of the motorcycle accident up ahead.  A waiter dropped an entire tray of glasses because he was anxious that his customers were anxious because the food was taking too long to come out of the kitchen.  

Where and when have you seen anxious people this past week?  How did their anxiety make you feel?

It’s amazing that God’s word says, “Do NOT be anxious.”  He knew we would be anyways, so He gave us the formula to fight against anxiety in Phil. 4:6-7.  Let’s give it a try. 

• Think of a situation or place that makes you anxious.

• Pray – God, I give you ______________________.  

• Ask - I ask you to ___________________________.

• Give Thanks – God, thank you for _________________________________________.

• Trust in God’s Peace– God, take my anxious thoughts and replace them with your PEACE.  Guard my heart and mind with your peace.  You alone can answer my prayers with peace.  Pour out your awesome peace.

When you see that others are anxious, stop and pray for them too.  You might be the peace God is sending to listen, calm, care, or love.  Pass on the peace you have received from God and see peace replace anxiety around you.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement