Category Archives: Growing

A Recipe For Blessing!

Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Now, that’s a mouthful of good advice, but let’s break it down like a Southern cook dissecting her mama’s biscuit recipe.

First off, “Be joyful in hope.” Life’s a rollercoaster, and we ain’t always on the easy part. But hope is that feeling that the ride’s gonna smooth out eventually. It’s like knowing you’ve got a glass of ice cold lemonade waiting after mowing the yard on a hot day.

Then there’s “patient in affliction.” Now, patience isn’t something most of us are born with. It’s like trying to sit still at the DMV—you’re going to want to scream, but somehow you don’t. Whatever you’re going through, just hang on tight. The tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

Finally, “faithful in prayer.” Don’t just talk to God when the well runs dry. Prayer’s not a 911 call; it’s more like checking in with a friend. Keep the conversation going, and you’ll find peace even when life doesn’t make sense.

So, stay hopeful, patient, and keep talking to the Good Lord. You’ll come out the other side stronger than ever.

GUARD YOUR HEART!

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Now, I reckon ol’ Solomon knew a thing or two about life when he penned those words. Life has a way of wearin’ us down, from the daily grind to the unexpected bumps in the road. But you know, it ain’t the world that gets us – it’s how we let it in.

Guardin’ your heart ain’t about buildin’ a wall so high that nobody can climb it. No, it’s more like pickin’ who and what gets to live rent-free in your head and soul. Every day, life throws a heap of stuff at you – worries, complaints, maybe even a rude driver or two. But if you let all that mess inside without a filter, it’s like openin’ the front door and invitin’ trouble to sit a spell.

Your heart is where all your actions, words, and thoughts begin. And if you ain’t careful about what you let in, well, it’s bound to come back out in ways that’ll surprise you – and not always for the better.

So today, take a breath, say a prayer, and ask yourself, “What’s worth guardin’, and what’s worth lettin’ go?” ‘Cause when you guard your heart well, life flows a little smoother, and that peace you’re after? Well, it starts from within.

GPS = God’s Positioning System

You know, life has a funny way of reminding us that we’re not always in control, even when we think we’ve got everything planned out. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Now, that’s just the good book’s way of telling us that while we might think we’re steering the ship, it’s God who’s really at the helm.

We spend so much time plotting and planning, figuring out every little detail. We’ve got our calendars, our to-do lists, and our five-year plans, but sometimes life has away of surprising us—a flat tire on a rainy day, a phone call with bad news, or an unexpected detour that takes us miles out of our way. And just when we think we’re lost, somehow, we end up exactly where we need to be.

It’s like when you’re driving down a country road, and the GPS tells you to turn left into what looks like a cow pasture. You’re sure it’s wrong, but you go ahead anyway because, deep down, you trust it. That’s what Proverbs 16:9 is all about. We can make all the plans we want, but it’s God who knows the best route. So, when life takes you on an unexpected turn, don’t sweat it. Trust that there’s a reason, even if you can’t see it just yet.

So, keep making your plans, but remember to leave a little room for God to guide your steps. After all, He’s never let us down before.