Heartbeat

My friend’s 6-month old puppy is coming a long way with her training. We went on a trail run together with his dog and she did great. Even off-leash she stayed right with us- until… a squirrel ran across our path. It didn’t matter that she’s had so much training and really wanted to please her owner. When the squirrel ran past, she took off and chased it up a tree. They are her weakness! What about you? What things distract you from your prayer life or time in scripture? For some it’s work; a busy schedule in general. For a lot us it might just be social media. It absolutely has its place to share the gospel, but often, it just becomes mindless scrolling. If you feel like there is something grabbing your attention more than your Heavenly Father- try to put it down for a while and bring your focus back to God.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, infectious diseases were the primary causes of premature death in America. But in the twenty-first century, preventable lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and many cancers- influenced by unhealthy habits and poor choices are shortening our lives. The National Institutes of Health estimates that between 44,000 and 98,000 die in the US each year from preventable diseases. In many cases, we’re killing ourselves. Today, let’s be reminded that admitting our need for God and surrendering our lives to Him is always the first step to healing any destructive habit we may have. Let God help you today. Putting Him first in your life is the only way to true satisfaction.

I was running late to work the other morning. And- It always feels like the more I’m in a rush, the more things go wrong. I almost forgot my phone, I spilled my coffee on the way out the door, and realized halfway down my street that I left my work keys on the table. Not off to a great start. Once I settled into the horrific Atlanta traffic I was stuck behind a car going way too slow in the fast lane who left their turn signal on for the last mile. How could they be so clueless? I just need this airhead to get out of my way and… I then noticed I had left my turn signal on too. That was a nice practice in humility. The next time you feel a bad mood like this coming on- don’t let it spill onto others. Recognize it and ask God to calm and quiet your spirit. Nothing that went wrong on this morning was the end of the world. Keep it in perspective- and yeah- don’t forget to cancel your turn signal.

Research shows that the strongest sources of happiness are the people in our lives. Social support is one of the most important predictors of whether people are happy. Humans long to connect with other people. We can all remember how much COVID taught us- that we need each other! Christian author Philip Yancey wrote a book called “Church: Why Bother?” in which he discusses the community in relation to faith. He said, “Christianity is not purely intellectually, internal faith. It can only be lived out in community.” The author of the book of Hebrews also says And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. We’re designed to be spiritual beings that also need social support. So when it comes to church, by all means do bother to go!

Many sports fans might accuse a player of not having their heart in the game when their intensity doesn’t match the intensity of the game. So much so that I’ve heard people complain that the Superbowl is rigged when they see a player not live up to expectations. It’s not always easy but God calls us to be all in for Him. In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus calls us to be fully surrendered in our faith. Maybe lately you’ve been only dipping a toe in with God. One foot in the door and the other holding onto things of this world. Be a follower of Christ who is completely and fully surrendered to Him and what He’s called you to do. To love Him and love others.

There’s a difference between renovation and restoration. If you’re renovating, it usually means you’re upgrading, changing the style- making something new and different. A renovation might be starting with an old house, that’s not necessarily historic, and repairing and upgrading it into 2024. But to restore a home- means you are bringing it back to its original condition. 1st Peter chapter 5 says that the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. God doesn’t want to renovate. He loves who you are. Instead- He wants to restore us back to our original place of relationship with Him.

There are some things in this world our minds have a hard time comprehending. Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? Everywhere you look your brain is almost convinced it’s just a picture. The enormous scale is just too much to grasp. Or what about the distance between the Earth and the Moon? Or the size of an atom? Like these incredible examples of scale, we can only imagine a fraction of God’s love. If you’re going through a tough time and struggling to see how God is working in your life- realize that we can barely grasp the size of a mountain let alone the mind of the Creator of the Universe. His love for you is beyond measure. He gave up His throne to become one of us and die in our place. That’s a love beyond comprehension.

Geneen Roth has written best-selling books on emotional eating. In an article called “The Treat Trap,” she reminds us that in troubled times sweets seem to offer immediate relief; but unfortunately, their “fix” doesn’t last. The sweetness of chocolate lasts for a mere 30 seconds and after we’ve indulged, the original problem is still there. Then we have an additional problem: the guilt of an unhealthy indulgence on top of the original stressor. Guilty pleasures, even when sweet, ultimately leave a bad taste. If you find yourself looking for unhealthy distractions when you’re dealing with a stressful situation- Avoid the treat trap! Instead of turning to chocolate, why not turn to God?

Learning to play the guitar comes with some pain in the beginning. It takes time to build up calluses on your fingers. Calluses are thick layers of skin that build up over time. And in the case of a guitarist are necessary to properly hold chords without pain. Like a guitarist’s fingertips our hearts can become calloused. Through tough times and trials, some people become bitter. They have a harder time seeing the good in their lives and develop a hardened heart towards God. If this sounds like you, I’m praying you can pause and ask God to soften your heart. Be open to allowing Him to show you all the blessings in your life and how you can bless others. Over time, that calloused heart can learn joy all over again.

Most tasting rooms in California involve wine, but at Laura Parker’s Taste of Place events in the Bay Area, you’ll find yourself with a glass of…. dirt. The idea is to smell soil from local farms, then eat the produce grown in the same soil so you can see how the aromas in the dirt affect the flavor of the food. During this sampling many have said that you can actually taste the pasture that the goats ate in the cheese made from their milk. How cool? In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians 2:15 says that we should be the aroma of Christ to those who don’t know Him. So, with that in mind- What fragrance does your life emit? Hopefully your “aroma” causes others to discover what the Bible says about the Lord – “taste and see that God is good!”

In the book of Ruth in the Bible, Ruth was a literal outsider. But Naomi felt like an outsider. Although she was a part of God’s family by birth, she felt like she had been abandoned by Him. Do you ever feel like the odd one in a group? Even within your faith? Maybe you’ve sat in a Bible study before and thought “I don’t belong here”. When we compare our lives to others, including within the church, we may feel like an outsider. Maybe it’s your current circumstances. And while everyone else is feeling “hashtag blessed”, your world feels like it’s falling apart. The comparison trap is real. And if we compare ourselves with the version people want you to see of themselves, we will often fall short. In the Bible, Naomi seems cynical, which makes her happy ending even sweeter. When you’re feeling like an outsider, remember that perseverance can lead to a renewed faith. Maybe you need to make some changes like Naomi did. But no matter what, God will remain faithful.

Research shows that we get a “lift” from giving. In fact, MRI studies show that providing for other people activates the brain’s ventral striatum, the region that lights up in response to pleasurable experiences such as seeing an attractive person or winning a prize. Scientists are finding that helping others may be as primal or basic a human pleasure as food. In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul remembers the words of our Savior. He said; “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Well, it turns, He’s right! Do you need a lift today? Why not follow Jesus’ wisdom and give of yourself to someone who is in need?

What quotes do you often hear that people claim are scripture yet you know otherwise? One that I can’t stand is, “God helps those who help themselves.” Many are surprised to learn that nowhere in the Bible does that appear. In fact, God doesn’t want you to be a solely independent spirit. God often sends others into our lives to help- and… us to help them. In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul had to depend on others to lower him in a basket to escape outside the city wall. And I imagine it must have been tough for Paul to find enough humility to depend on others. Maybe you have a hard time asking for help. But, God rarely asks us to fly solo. You can depend on others, and more importantly, you can depend on Him!

Our sun gives off more energy in one second than all mankind has produced since creation began. With a diameter of approximately 860,000 miles, the sun could hold one million planets the size of the Earth. The rate at which its energy is emitted is equivalent to the energy coming from a furnace at a temperature of about 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit. This is one magnificent creation that truly, points to an all-powerful Creator God! And friends, His incomparably great power is at work in you! So know this today: if you have the Son spelled with an ‘O,’ you have far more power than the sun that spelled with a ‘U!’

In the Bible, we find these words written by the Apostle Paul, “…Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” Too often the Christian life is seen as a passive existence, but these words show that it’s quite the opposite. Our faith should lead us to not just believe but “do”. How is your community better because you’re in it? The old saying that “you may be the only Bible some people read” is still so true. So, let this be an encouragement to find opportunities around you to volunteer, to help your neighbor and be the hands and feet of our Savior as we strain to reach the end of the race.

When Bose introduced their Acoustic Wave Music System in 1984, Sound & Vision Magazine said that it delivered “possibly the best reproduced sound many people have ever heard.” Since then, we now have companies like Sonos, Denon, and of course Apple, who are constantly striving for the best possible audio. Sound has a tremendous effect on people. This is why in the Bible, in 1st Corinthians 14:7, the Apostle Paul says that we who are Christians are like musical instruments. If we don’t make the right sounds no one will understand what they mean. If you’re a Christian today, you’re announcers, instruments, and sound systems for the Kingdom. Is God happy with the quality of your sound?

I was at my friend’s house this weekend for dinner. They now have a very cute, 6-month-old puppy named Lucy and they were showing off her tricks. My friend would say sit- and she sat. Lay, and she laid. My friend turned to me and said, “we’ve been working on this one”. He turned back to Lucy and said “roll over!”. But Lucy just gave him a blank stare. He shrugged and said, “Well. I guess she hasn’t learned that one yet”. My friend wasn’t upset with her for not rolling over. He just accepted that there’s still more to learn. Just like Lucy- we’re constantly in the process of growing up in Christ. We don’t know it all yet and that’s ok. Mistakes are likely but we have a God of grace and love who will be patient with us. The next time you’re going through a confusing and hard time, remember that you’re a work in progress. Maybe God is in the middle of teaching you something you have yet to learn.

Solar Star is the largest solar farm in the US and one of the largest in the world. This plant has 1.7 million solar panels spread across Los Angeles and Kern Counties in California. Each of these panels can take the energy from a glowing ball 92 million miles away whose surface temperature reaches 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit and turn it into usable energy for over 250,000 homes. In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians 3:18 tells us that our faces are to reflect God’s glory. It says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” So, my friends, shine on!

James Allen, author of the book “As A Man Thinketh”, says: “All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” Likewise, in the Bible, King Solomon said, in Proverbs 4:23, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” He also said, in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Do you constantly think negatively of yourself or your circumstances? Our thoughts are so powerful. Our internal dialog has a profound impact on the person we live outwardly. Scripture makes it clear: you ARE what you THINK. And what you THINK, you ARE. So guard your thoughts; they determine your destiny!

How often do you find yourself in the comparison trap? Do you ever see someone with a nicer car, bigger house, fancier clothes and think, “must be nice”. But the truth is, we’ve never walked a mile in their shoes- we don’t know the circumstances that brought them to where they are and there will always be someone else looking to you with the same thought- “must be nice to be you too”. How do we release ourselves from these trappings? The Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 4, “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 this through him who gives me strength.” Rather than the constant stress of keeping up with everyone else- breathe in the peace that Paul describes. Learn to be content.