Jaded Hearts

Often times, images speak more to me than words do, but this morning’s devotional cut right through my heart: “Our attitudes are an outward display of what’s taking place in our hearts.” Normally, we tend to regard our attitudes as an outward reflection of what is going on in our lives, but very rarely do we stop and consider that our attitudes, actions, AND words are a reflection of what’s going on in our hearts. There is so much hurt in this world – no matter who is at fault or to blame – but I am here to tell you that the healing and joy available to you far outweighs the hurt! James 1:2 says, “dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great 33017joy.” It may not feel like it right now, but there is joy to be found. There is light in the darkness. There is healing in the hurt. I’m here to tell you, this is a challenge for me as well. While it is a struggle some days to rejoice IN all things, it is so important to guard our hearts and our words. Hurt people hurt people. Don’t let your attitudes and actions leave a permanent mark of a temporary place you are in. Let love, peace, and joy take root in your heart so that the flowers of your soul blossom.

 

Live Big!
Love,
RED

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Fear Not

This morning’s prayer devotional was off the charts. If you are fearful (which I am guilty of on any given day of one or more of the following … fear of the future, failure at work/family/relationship, not living up to God’s purpose over my life, finances, etc. etc), then you are giving yourself way too much credit and not believing in the one who created you. Today, I pray that you (and I’m preaching to myself) make a list of all the things you fear, rational and irrational and that you pray over that list .. go to Him and ask specifically and realistically to meet your NEEDS (not your desires), to move forward in 2017 in abundance of health (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, financially) and to release you from the burden and shackles of fear. Make the choice to believe in the one who made the moon and stars and not in your own abilities.

Fear Not

 

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Perfect Life

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there is no such thing as “perfect.” So quit stalling, making excuses, and dragging your feet because before you know it, life will have passed you by, along with the adventure, love, and blessings that were destined just for you! So, who’s ready to take a leap of faith today (besides me)? 16143106_10101351027322701_1693904579351826525_n

A Spiritual Revolution

Back in October of 2014, my SIC (sister in Christ and fellow junker/squirrel/snorter/wine drinker/ lover of all things western and |SR| related) sent this to me in the middle of the night. I asked if I could share it on the website. Since I have taken the site down and starting fresh, I’m sharing it again. Tiffany has such a tender heart for Christ and when she sends me something in the middle of the night, I know it is because she and Jesus have been up talking about it for some time. She called me this last weekend asking for the link because there was someone she felt who needed to read it. Reading it again, I think there are a number of people, including myself, who needed the reminder. I hope that you find something in her story to soothe your own heart, troubles, and/or pain.

So in one of my odd sleepless nights at 3 am, I was scanning Facebook trying to go back to sleep.  I stumbled across a story titled “Bucket List Baby”, so I read on.  This was a story about a young couple that discovered early on in their pregnancy, first one, that their baby would only develop a tiny brain, if one at all.  This baby will not have a developed skull on the top, basically because it will have no brain.  The baby cannot survive without a brain.  So this couple, with tons of love and faith in the Lord, decided to make a bucket list for their baby.  They traveled all kinds of cute places, taking photos of Mom’s belly, all throughout the pregnancy.  When it was discovered it was a boy, they name him Shane.  So baby Shane went to a Yankee game, a zoo, the beach, and so on.  At beginning of Fall, they painted Mom’s belly as a pumpkin.  The tried to video every time Shane moved in her belly and noted all of his hiccups, and random activity/habits.  I read every posting.  I couldn’t put it away.  Then I realized I was reading at the exact time she was in delivery.  I was being inspired by their faith in God, at the exact moment this woman was delivering a baby, she will only get to hold for a few hours.  The emotion was overwhelming for me.  I was in shock but I wasn’t crying – I was happy for them.  Why I thought?  This Bucket list Baby had over ½ million people following and praying for Baby Shane.  That in alone was astonishing to me – ½ MILLION PEOPLE – PRAYING!  You don’t hear about that on the news!  That is when God’s words started popping in my head – “He created us in the womb” Job 31:15, “He fashioned us in the womb” Psalm 127:3.  “Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

I was learning so much more about God while this couple was delivering their baby.  God made a brainless baby a Saint!  He used the “strong heart” (doctors stated Shane had a strong heart) of this baby to fill his parents completely with the Holy Spirit and spread their faith to ½ MILLION PEOPLE!  WOW – these parents were so excited to get to have this baby.  They called Shane a perfect miracle.  Shane lived 4 hours.  He met every member of his family.  He was baptized. He cried.  He died peacefully in his mom’s arms.

Some people would say, “Why did God let his happen?”  “If God was so good, why does he let bad things happen?”

My answer is – Look at this example – God took a brainless baby and reached over ½ Million people in a matter of months.  Through our world of highly educated people, we can’t teach that many people in that short amount of time.  Our brains can’t handle it.  I now truly believe our brains get in the way of our relationship with the Lord.  All we need is a strong heart, full of love. “But now abide faith, hope, love these three; AND the greatest of these is Love!”  When you read Baby Shane’s story, that is the biggest thing you see is LOVE!  They loved each other, they loved their baby, and they loved God most of all.  Yes sad things happen here on earth but we may not always see the big picture of Why.  God will reveal it to us someday – Just keep a strong heart of love!

“And so you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive”  Genesis 50:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20

This baby Shane could have brought evil through depression, anger, resentment etc BUT God used it for good – to let his light shine through!  Shine through to over ½ million people.  Facebook can be used for evil daily, hourly BUT God used it for good – to share the love of Jesus, to over ½ million people.  You can’t tell me that isn’t church – we were gathered around this couple all over the world praying and thanking God for their faith & showing us the love of the Holy Spirit.  It says two or three gathered in my name – OVER ½ MILLION people were gathered through this journey, in the Lord’s name.

We are in a spiritual revolution.  Church is no longer just 4 walls – really it never was but now because of digital media – people are gathering in His name across religion, denominations, and nationality boundaries.  We can change the world – even a brainless baby named Shane knows that.  Thank you Jesus –

DeColores – Tiffany

Get Over Yourself

Since I took the website down, most of my writings have been on Facebook. I’m always humbled when people reach out with their stories, often the inspiration behind my posts.  I hope you enjoy. This is from a 2/13/16 FB post (original link):

I’ve sat back and watched my brothers and their dreams come to fruition with their wives by their sides and I’ve watched my sisters as they go about building their own businesses WHILE they stand in support of their husband’s success and I’ve realized key things about them both.

First, let’s just define success as doing what you do to the best of your ability with purpose and passion.  For some of the men I know, you are always going to be RIGHT where you are,  no matter how hard you work because of the type of women you have in your life.  Now,  I know all women are different and have different spiritual gifts and come with their own history, story, “baggage”, and dreams,  but if you are continually allowing women into your lives who sow doubt, negativity,  discourse, discouragement, drama, nitpicking, disappointment, disdain and who do not embrace your goals,  your dreams,  your desires … you might as well get real comfortable,  real fast, right where you are.  Your success is due partly to the woman you have that will embrace your dream (no matter how crazy or out of the box … or buckin’ chute… it is), and will do everything in their power to help you bring it alive.

The woman in your life should be able – and willing – to pray over, for and with you on a daily basis. They should hav26594da9-1313-482b-a499-aaa1c2e3a502e passions and purpose of their own. You should be able to spend 10 minutes in a room full of people with them and know how they treat others face to face and behind their backs, how they respond to small children,  elderly, and those carrying their own burdens. You should be able to feel inspired,  motivated, and have the desire to want to dig deeper into your own well of being and improve your life and be a better man … not because of guilt or nagging, but because she inspires that in you.  Your success is due in part at being able to work together and separately….or states apart for months. She will do and be who she is and you will know because, while she is independent and successful, there is still room for the two of you to build, grow, and succeed together (and separately).

This may sting a bit,  but men,  get over yourselves, out of your pity parties and quit looking in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons. Quit trying to fill voids,  holes,  or feel like “this is all I deserve” !!! And not to leave you women out of the equation: Ladies, if you don’t have successful, hard working,  purpose filled men in your lives,  it’s time to start evaluating what kind of woman you are striving to be, what you’re allowing into your life and what you desire vs what you deserve!

And I’m now stepping down (carefully because y’all know how graceful I am with steps) off my soap box and headed into fix some breakfast!

Love BIG,
RED