Rest Easy

When I close my eyes at night, I can literally fall asleep within the first few minutes. Wanna know how? Three things. Got your paper and pencil ready?

First, I make sure that I am physically active during the day. Yard work, disc golf, biking, hiking, you get the idea. An hour is good.

Second, I placed my faith in Jesus 18 years ago. Since that time I have had zero worries. Zero. God is in control. What do I have to worry about? I have concerns, but I NEVER get worried anymore.

And the third thing I do, to be able to fall asleep so quickly, is to recite Psalm 23 to myself after the lights go out. I have it memorized. Why Psalm 23? It's a good reminder of who is in control. It reminds me that, whatever happens, "the Lord is my Shepherd."

Try it sometime. Don't nod off now.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." - Psalm 23

No matter what kind of day we have - good, bad, happy, or sad - we will always fall asleep quickly knowing that those reassuring words from King David are true.

Sleep well tonight my brothers and sisters. And may God bless you this week, and always.

Contact Juggling

Are you good at juggling? I'm not. I taught myself how to juggle in college with some rolled up socks. Although I can juggle (marginally) it doesn't mean I'm any good at it. These days people juggle everyday. We don't juggle balls, We juggle events in our lives.

People develop all kinds of stress in their lives, simply by trying to "keep all of the balls in the air," Is that you? How do you do it? Are you even able to? It takes a lot of effort to keep our busy lives going. How can we ever get the rest we need?

Are you familiar with the art of contact juggling? The balls never leave a persons hands but it often appears like they do. What's interesting is the juggler is always in contact with the objects he or she is juggling. There is a far smaller chance of dropping one of the juggled objects than in conventional juggling.

What if we tried juggling all of the events in our lives lie that? And what if we just let God do the juggling for us. I think the end result would be a lot less stressful and a lot more successful.

"7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

"7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

"6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

Contact Juggling

Unplugged

This past weekend we said goodbye to my sister-in-law's husband Pat. After the funeral we said goodbye to his wife. When asked what she would do now she simply said, "I think I'm going to unplug for a while." Smart lady.

I started "unplugging" a few weeks ago when I surpassed my data limit on my phone. I was forced to limit my phone usage and guess what? I really have enjoyed it.

Oh sure, there were those times when I wanted to check Facebook or my e-mail but those moments faded when I was faced with paying extra fees. I'm such a cheapskate.

The beauty of unplugging is that you suddenly have time to do other things. We ALL could use some spare time. What would YOU do if you had any?

I have been reading more. That's a good thing. I have also been able to work on some unfinished projects, which has been really sweet. But what I really enjoy is the quiet. The times in the early morning hours to just sit and think rather than scroll and surf.

Do you have adequate time to spend with God? To thank Him for all of the things He has given you? Your family, your friends, a job, a house, food on the table. Everything!

Take the advice of my sister-in-law. Unplug, close your eyes and pray. Renew your mind! You will be glad you did.

"2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

All Of Creation - MercyMe (unplugged)

Up Nort Der Hey

Door County is one of Wisconsin's favorite vacation getaways. It is also one of favorite vacation destinations for the entire state of Illinois! Or so it seems. We all have our special places we like to go to get away from it all.

Where do you like to go? The beach? Do you just stay at home to get away from it all? Is your "get away" location a bathtub and a cup of coffee?

Have you ever noticed how most people like to go "up north." My wife and I live in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Waupaca is a vacation destination for many from the Milwaukee area or from Chicago. For them, WE are "up north." So where do WE in the Waupaca area go for vacation? WE too go up north - Eagle River, Tomahawk, Canada.

All this raises a question. Where do Eskimos go for there vacation? They are as "up north" as they can go! The only place they can go is "down south." That makes be think there is SOMEPLACE in between where you don't need to travel for vacation at all. There is someplace where people can live that is ALREADY the perfect destination spot. And guess what . . . Shhhh! . . . I have found it. :O

The place I go to "get away from it all" is very close to where I live. I don't need to get packed. I don't need to fill the gas tank or have a change of clothes to weigh me down. My secret vacation destination, the place where I go to relax and calm down from all the activity, noise and busyness, fits right in the palm of my hands.

No! It's not a phone or a laptop. It's my Bible.

Whenever I feel like I need to take a break, whenever I need to just get away, I open up my Bible and I turn to the Book of Romans . . . chapter eight. MY favorite vacation destination. Won't you please join me?

Romans 8

After I get done reading that chapter I just feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from these incredibly old shoulders of mine. I feel rested and relaxed. All my cares are gone and the sunshine seems just a little brighter. All the benefits of a vacation without having to leave my house.

My prayer for you this morning is that you would take a vacation break, right where you are. Open up your Bible and read Romans eight. You too may find rest and relaxation in the arms of Christ.

"38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

Amen. :)