Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Infinitely Wonderful

Greetings,

Life is full of amazing and wonderful reminders of God’s Glory.  Sometimes we are so focused on what is going on that we forget to look for these reminders in our daily lives. Today during my devotional time I read a quote from Jesus Calling that sort of hit a mark…
I am with you and all around you, encircling you in golden ray of light… Because I am infinite; I am able to love you as if you and I were the only ones in the universe. Walk with me in intimate Love steps, but do not lose sight of My Majesty.
These are powerful words aren’t they? For me they are a great reminder of how God’s Glory is revealed in the world around us. It is quite an amazing thought to think that God has so much love within that he can love each of us as though it were only He and them in the entire universe. To think that this love is offered to each of us through ‘encircling rays of sunlight’ is an amazing way to remind us that God is ‘with us and all around us’  There are times when we overlook this because of our inability to focus on growing in God.


Right now my family and I have tons of stuff going on and it can be very easy to lose sight of where God is at in everything. It is becoming harder each day to make sure we spend the time we need focusing on our own spiritual growth, let alone that of our children. Even though they are still young we strive to give them the chance to grow with God. It may be hard for them to understand exactly what growing with God is all about but, there is something they can grasp at least.


Honestly, I find it hard to believe that anyone could love our children more than we do but the beauty in knowing that God’s love is infinite is a great reminder of that. God’s love is by far one of the most meaningful reminders of God’s Glory and to know that each day his love for my children, and even for my wife and I as individuals, can help us grow in understanding of the love and of our faith, is in itself, infinitely wonderful.  As you go through your day today, find ways to remind yourself not to lose sight of ‘His Majesty’.


Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"


Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Undivided Wondering

Greetings, 

Have you ever had one of those days where you just simply wonder about everything?

  Those days have been crossing my path a lot lately. I haven’t been wondering about my existence or the meaning of life more about everything that is going on in our lives right now.  We have so many different things happening right now that sometimes I simply can’t keep up. All of these things though are not as important as making sure I spend my time in the word and with my family.

 


  Sometimes we as human beings can let the worries of this world take hold of our thoughts and our emotions, thus leading to a divided heart. Scripture states, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psalm 86:11 NIV) This passage is a reminder that we need to pay closer attention to the things we let wonder around in our minds. It may not always be big things that cause us to wonder or worry about all that is going on in our lives; sometimes the small things can cause the biggest divisions.

  The world can weigh heavily upon our shoulders and when our plate is full the burden can be very hard to hold on too. We are again advised in scripture to "cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you." (Psalm 55:22a NASB) This gives means that we can give our wondering hearts to him. Recently, I have been working these two verses into my daily life more and it has been quite an enjoyable learning experience.   There have been moments when I have had to take my wondering thoughts to the Lord that have been difficult and others that I have been surprised by. Each moment I have given my thoughts and emotions back to Him, in the end, have been enlightening.



  Here is a challenge for those that read this blog. Take a moment to give your wondering thoughts and your worries to the Lord today. Let Him come in and embrace your heart. When we let God do this He begins to take those thoughts that can bring division away and this produces an undivided heart. 


Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

The Blessing of Impact

Greetings,

Have you ever really thought about the impact you can have on those around you?

It's not something that we typically think about in our daily lives, is it. Most of the time we are so focused on ourselves that we don't really see what’s going on around us.  This week I was reminded of that through one of the guests I served in the resort I work in.

I won't mention any names, but this guest was a gift and a reminder of what it *The Blessing of Impact* truly means. This guest never really asked for anything, but made it a point to come spend some time with us in the lobby each day.  Whether they were speaking about their day touring the Dana Point Area or simply getting to know my coworker and I, this guest visited us every day, *sometimes twice*.


 For me this is a two-fold reminder. My coworker and I were there to listen to what this guest had to share and the guest's willingness to take time out of their day to visit with us, *not many guests do this*. In a strange sort of way the three of us had an impact on each other though the conversation we all shared. Now, this may not seem like a lot, or even that meaningful to those that read this post but it was something special for us.

It was a huge blessing for a guest to actually want more than the keys to their suite and a map of the resort from us in the lobby. I also believe that it was a huge blessing for this guest to have someone who was willing to share with them in their vacation.
"Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed," (Psalm 34:5 ESV.)
 All in all, the entire experience has reminded me of how much joy I receive from serving God and others. It reminded me that even the simplest act of kindness can impact another. We are all in need of small acts of kindness and have the potential to use these acts for Gods Glory. If each of us took a moment today to embrace an opportunity to be kind to someone else or to actually listen to them when we ask *How are you doing?* who can imagine the impact it might have on the world we live in...

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.