Power outage

Today, northeast Ohio experienced the affects of high winds. They were blamed for a huge loss of power which resulted in overwhelming challenges. Adverse things occur where there is a loss of power. Traffic jams, loss of potential income, and a disruption of normalcy. The same is true about our personal lives. When we feel weak, bad things happen. Discouragement, confusion, fear, and worry are just a few affects from a loss of power. So then what is the problem? Is it really a loss of power or is it a disconnect? You see, the power plants were still producing energy, the resource was still in tact, but the consumer was unable to tap in. Why? There was a break somewhere between the power plant and the source needing power. Our lives are much the same. Power is readily available on a daily basis. The resource is inexhaustible. But there has been a disconnect somewhere. The bible states that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Where there is no joy there is no power. So when we find ourselves experiencing the affects of the high winds of life, we must stay connected to the inexhaustible power there is in God's joy. How do we do that? Simple. The answer is between your 2 ears. Joy is a perspective that begins with a decision. Think about it.

Get a Life

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why am I here? Do I have any purpose?" Every one of us, at one time or another, come to a place in life where we ask some deep questions about our existence. But are there any answers to that profound question? Call me an optimistic realist, I believe there are. I don't claim to have all the answers about that question, but I have discovered some answers during life's difficult times. I guess you could say I discovered them by default. If you really think about it, life makes no sense without the answer to that question. So is there a purpose for our existence and does my life really count? For those of you who are not sure, allow me to offer some thoughts. Do our lives carry any significance? Well, that question is better answered by the people around us. Every day your life impacts those you work with, go to school with and live with. Your life matters to the people who are connected to you. Where can I find a sense of meaning to my life? Allow me to illustrate this for a moment. Let's say a father buys his son a new bike. The bike of course comes unassembled. So, being a man he throws the instruction manual aside and goes to it. When he is finished, he realizes that there are extra parts. The bike is not completely assembled. So now what does he do? The lesson is this, "Maybe the bike manufacturer knows a little more about the bike than the well meaning dad does?" How does that apply? Maybe the way we find meaning in life is to go back to the manufacturer and ask for some help in the assembly process of our lives. The cool thing is, there's a manual for it too. So the next time that looming question arises in your mind, pull the manual out and ask the manufacturer to aid you in the process.

Promises, Promises

Every year most of us make all kinds of promises. We call them New Year's resolutions. We commit to stop smoking, go on a diet, spend more time with family and friends, etc. When it comes to God he makes promises as well. The promises of God found in the Bible are perhaps one of the most misunderstood dynamics related to our personal relationship with Him. So often we find ourselves questioning whether or not God will come through in the clutch. Allow me to point out a few things about God that should settle the issue for all of us. 1. God is crazy about you. Why would a loving, caring, personal Father not fulfill what he has promised he would do for his children? 2. God's ability is amazing. There is nothing in the existence or ability of God that hinders or limits his power to perform. 3. God's reputation is perfect. Concerning his promises to you and me, God would never allow himself to not do what he said he would do. Why? Because his reputation depends on it. So the next time there is a question about His promises concerning you think again!