ROAD TRIP!!!!!

Been on a road trip lately? I have. Just this morning. And oddly enough, my car never even left the driveway - well, other than to take Joshua to school:)

God impressed upon my heart a year ago to write a blog. And I have remembered it, yet sat upon it. What do YOU want to read about? Have you noticed the TONS of blogs out there? I am just little ole me, some education, but no one of great importance. This has really been a struggle for quiet some time. Not that I have low self esteem, but I am a person that doesn't finish anything without first having some direction! (like how long it took me to finish college:))

This morning, I feel that MAYBE I received that direction. Working on it now. My goal is to post 2 - 3 times a week. Maybe more as time progresses.

Today, the stop on our Road Trip is : WHERE IS YOUR PARTNER?

Huh? Nope, I'm not talking about a spouse, back-seat driver, partner in crime, apples and oranges, ball and glove type partner. I'm back to the DANCING WITH GOD event of YOUR life.

So many views on dancing. Slow dancing, break dancing, dirty dancing, salsa, line dancing: You get the idea. But, how fun is dancing in your living room - alone?

I'm not a dancer. Don't pretend to be. But I can tell you that no where in my imagination does dancing in my living room alone sound like fun. Yet it seems that so many people are doing just that with their lives. Sure, we are surrounded by people: family at home, co-workers, fellow shoppers, even fellow worshipers, drivers on the freeway, car-poolers, but there is still this feeling of alone-ness. Those individuals can not fill the place of true intimacy in the dance of life.

I have a great many passions. It's hard when people ask my hobbies, because it really is based upon the moment in time that we are talking about: cooking, gardening, riding motorcycles, crocheting, reading, running, studying God's Word, being with family, playing with kids, the list goes on. BUT, none of those hobbies would sustain me other than staying in God's Word.

Do you stay in God's Word? Last year, I completed a "read through the Bible plan" that I just love. Professor Grant Horner has put together a great plan that allows you to complete the Bible without getting bogged down in any portion. My mother recommended it as she had just completed it then. I recommend it to you. You can go here to download a printed version.

www.youversion.com has a Bible app that allows you to download many devotions and Bible reading plans to help you stay in God's Word. I have Professor Horner's plan on my smartphone so that anytime I am anywhere, I have it with me. I also use the Bible in 90 Days plan created by Ted Cooper.

There are great websites out there, with new ones being added all the time. One that I discovered this morning is www.net.bible.org. I don't know much about this one, but you should take the time to explore it to see if it is one for you.

One that I have used often is www.blueletterbible.org This is a website with great tools for your Bible Study time.

When you are just starting to consistently invite God to the dance of your life, it's hard to incorporate tools. Start slow and build. But, DON'T FORGET TO BUILD!!!!

Find a plan that works for you. The best way to "have a partner" is actively reach out to Him. I listen to the Bible as I do things throughout the day. I have a plan. When I don't hear God's Word on a regular basis, I feel empty. Nothing is better for us than God's Word.

It's not a New Year's Resolution. It's not a goal. It's a way of life. Sure, when I began, it was hard. But, I knew I needed it. And those around me, knew I needed it. Don't try your life dance without your Partner!

Effective Umbrella

As for me, I'm not much of an umbrella person. Often, the umbrella is cumbersome. Here in Oklahoma, the wind likes to carry it away, turn it inside out, or just collapse it for me. Another issue is just not having it when you need it. Sure, listening to the forecast SHOULD prove beneficial, but only about fifty percent of the time. So I usually stick to my no need attitude.

Recently, I have had a few friends questioning God's sovereignty. More on the protection end. As children of the King, we know He desires nothing but the best for us. He would love to protect us from everything that Satan throws at us. And He does. Unfortunately, we get in His way. We know He has a good and perfect plan for each one of us. So often, we go off on our own road, then want God to make it great.

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I was listening to the rain. Because I have to take my stepson to school, I was also thinking about my umbrella issue. You see, my umbrella isn't very effective because I choose not to use one. No, God is not an umbrella, but let's use this analogy.

What makes the umbrella effective? Does it work folded up and put away? Is it effective held by the handle, open, but dangling by your side? What about open, held properly, but off to the side.

None of the above scenarios provide the most effective environment for the umbrella. It has to be open, held upright, and close by so the shelter of the material can provide protection, whether it be from rain or sun.

That is exactly how God is. He is our Father that desires the best for us and wants to protect us, but we have to allow Him to.

He can't be folded up and taken out on occasion to be most effective. He can't just dangle by our side, reminding us of His presence, but us never allowing him to provide that protection. And He certainly isn't most effective in our lives when He is there, but kept at a distance.

God desires few things greater than for His children to be under His protective care at all times. He has a perfect will for each of us, but it is up to us to stay under the umbrella of Him.

He loves us so much He allows us to live our lives without Him controlling it. Sometimes, I think His control would be so much easier. There would be no pain, no suffering, no hard times. Yet with the lack of all the negatives, we would have a hard time seeing His love. God allows our struggles, for us to "get wet", but He also provides that shelter when we are tired of the struggles we face. The good news is, we don't have to face so much because He is always standing holding the umbrella, waiting for us to step under His protection.

STEP IN