Spiritual

When God leaves you in the dark never give up hope. Being in the dark is God’s way of strengthening your relationship with Him. He will not feed you bull but He will keep you safe and you need to stay worry free.

When God is silent and you feel you are in the dank spaces of the soul, remember your first love, remember the times you listened and obeyed. Also remember His love for you and what He accomplished in you over the years.

When God stops communicating, start interceding. Nothing soothes the irritated soul than an unselfish prayer for someone else. This is the safe territory where Satan can never impose or attack. It is pure selfless prayer. It results in moving hearts and minds.

When in the dark, pray for someone else.

It is not acceptable for an adult to throw a temper tantrum. If we do not accept it from children, we certainly should not be required to accept it from adults. But then, an adult temper tantrum is that child who was never told it was inappropriate behavior.

When I hear a parent excuse their child’s whiney behavior as being tired, I want to spit. I get tired too, as am sure you do. That does not give me or you the opportunity to gripe, whine and complain, in short act like a total moron. Tired is a good day’s work, it is alright. And healthy to boot!

Dr. Spock (is that how we write his name? who cares!), the pain in the bottom gave us the wishy washy family values of never telling our children when they are wrong. The dimwit ruined several generations before we got Dare to Discipline. Yet, those people are running around, pouting, whining, making complete asses of themselves and we have to bear the consequences.

Grow up, stop the whine and get to work. Never mind your aches and pains, we all have them. Live with it or take some drugs. You know who you are!

When God puts a vision in your heart, do not discard it as just another dream unattainable and impossible. Nothing in this world is impossible unless you are asking outside of the will of God.

I am not talking prosperity gospel not talking having everything you want, not demanding what is not yours. I am talking a vision in your very heart and soul of what your life is in God.

Remember the first flush of love when you first met the Savior? Remember those moments when it was clear what He did for you? Moments like that are the ‘aha’ experiences where we know for sure of our communion with the Almighty.

Never place God in the small concepts of your own insecurities. Never put him in the narrow box of your imagination. He is bigger, stronger and so much more capable in your heart.

Bring the vision down off the shelf you left it to rot for years already. Bring it out to the light, dust it off and move on with the will of your Creator.

When we hear the word Fear, the connotation is negative. But is it always negative? The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, says Proverbs. A healthy dose of fear keeps us safe and sound. If a child did not fear, he would put his hand on the stove and get burned. If a person did not fear drowning, they would jump in without knowing how to swim and drown.

Fear can be healthy with the right amount and the right situation for it. If a woman is not careful at night with a healthy amount of fear for her life and safety, she would walk in a dark parking lot and get hurt. Yes, the parking lot should be safe, but reality bites and parking lots at night are dangerous for women. There are some bad people out there.

In other words, we can substitute the word Fear, if you are so opposed to it, with respect. Respecting God or respecting His authority. Respecting the ocean and its mighty power and waves. Respecting our weaknesses and not badgering ourselves till we break.

Fear and Respect! Nothing wrong with a healthy dose of fear. Just keep it Simple and uncomplicated.

At one point of my life, I hated doing dishes. It was the bane of my existence. I prayed, asked the Lord, begged and cajoled, still hated it with all my heart.

My first daughter was six months old when we strolled the flea market in Knoxville, Tennessee. With little money, we strolled, window or table shopped, as it were.

I stopped before a small round wall plaque and this is what it said:

Thank God for dirty dishes
They have a tale to tell
They tell we don’t go hungry
But are eating very well.

Speechless and thankful, I gave the lady at the table my quarter and took my wooden note home. I placed the reminder on my sink, read it every day with every dirty dish and fork, pot and pan.

Writing to me is the way to say to all my appreciation for the lesson.