Mergers and Acquisitions

The competition is heating up. It is becoming more and more common for corporations, health care organizations and businesses to merge. In some cases a large company acquires a smaller one or two companies join together to become stronger and able to survive in a competitive market place. These strategies are often based on pure survival and provide a solution to allow for growth and improved services and profitability.

Some Christians embrace God as an opportunistic experience. They join a church to fulfill their needs and join forces on a religious journey. Like other strategic relationships, they align themselves with the right church community at the right time. The truth though is God is not a merger or acquisition proposition. He doesn't need a partnership and will not benefit from any relationship arrangement. God is not fooled by "what's in it for me" thinking. He sees right through self serving behaviors and knows the truth and state of each and every heart and every single intention. 

Maybe you have been treating your interaction with Jesus like a merger rather than a holy and blessed relationship. You may have determined the rules of engagement, marginalized the relationship to your terms and timeline, even considered renegotiating with Him when things don't go your way. Isn't it about time to fully surrender to His majesty and grace? Don't you deserve to know Him totally and fully? Let go of the parameters and rules you set on your relationship with Christ. Lose yourself in Him and discover the awe striking wonder of the Almighty God of the Universe.

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Artist

Photo Credit: Anthony Basile/Calif Coast

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. True beauty and true art are breathtaking and provide moments where you pause in awe. The most beauty and awe is found in the gorgeous artistic work of God. His use of color, texture and contrast present in the beauty of a sunset, a hummingbird or a delicate flower is pure priceless artistry. 

God's artistic handiwork is everywhere. You can lift your eyes and see it in the full moon, blue puffy cloud filled sky or a countless stars sparkling at midnight. God's artistry doesn't stop there. It abounds in and fills the depths of the ocean, is evident in animals, trees, the desert, mountains and rock canyons. God's greatest handiwork however is seen much closer to home. It is in the sweet smiles and beautiful eyes of loved ones. 

God is the Great Artist. He has designed and provided you a unique one of a kind view of His never ending workmanship. Stop and appreciate it. Praise Him and give thanks. Snap a photo to capture the moment, breathe in the scent of sweet blooms, listen to the symphony of the birds and fill up on the love of His precious grace.

 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” 
Psalm 19:1

No Appointment Necessary.

Appointments. They are not always easy to make. Dentist, hair stylist, dog groomer, doctor, and accountant to name a few. Each so specialized and in demand that you almost always need to plan ahead and book in advance. Having an appointment is no guarantee that you will be provided services at the time you expect. Often even with an appointment you need to wait. 

There is one more important than any of these individuals. To have undivided attention with Him any time you don't need prior booking of an appointment. Jesus Christ is always available, 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It doesn't matter the time of day or day of week. In fact, it doesn't matter how much or how often you need to spend time with Him. He is there for you totally, fully and  unconditionally. No appointment is necessary for you to have an audience with the Most High God of the Universe. Incredible, unbelievable and absolutely true.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Peter 5:7

Extreme Love

Love is in the air and all around. There is nothing that can be better, greater, or more epic than love. Love is great, grand and it is, well, epic! Yes, love is the best and it is truly the most powerful thing in the entire world. Still, the greatest love is the love that God has for you. After all, he loved you so much that he sent his only Son to die for you.  Now that is extreme love! God provided you the greatest example of love and scripture to demonstrate the meaning of love. The most famous of these is 1 Corinthians 13. Take a peek at it substituting your name or in this example "you" for the word LOVE and see how close it comes to describing you:

You are patient and kind. You do not envy, or boast, and are not rude.  You do not insist on your own way, are not irritable, not easily angered, and are not resentful. You do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. You always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere.

How did you do? I personally had more than a few gaps. You may have a few as well. The good news is that Jesus has no gaps. He is God and God is love. God loves you not just a little, but more than you can ever imagine. Walk with him each day. Reflect on his love and over time you will find less gaps and more likeness to him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Lord of the Dance

In the 15 years of writing The Daily Journey, I have been blessed with becoming virtual friends with people across the country. One in particular, Derek Rennie, is a man that I have never met face to face. When we first met online he would share stories of the love for his wife as she was suffering with a condition and tell of times they shared in earlier years traveling.  He spoke of when he lived in South Africa and of his great love from his children and later his granddaughter. He loved the Lord and would share devotionals. sent Christmas cards to one another and prayed for each other, he praying for my then teenagers and I his family, especially he and his wife. 

When his wife passed he missed her so. He would say someday they would met again in Heaven and dance. We joked that eventually we would finally all meet there and have a dance together if she would let me join in. Recently, Dee did go to be with the Lord and his dear wife. I just know they are dancing up a storm in Heaven. This Daily Journey message is in Dee's honor. Dee - may you rest well with Isabel and the Lord and dance until your heart's content. 

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Have you ever had a slow dance with someone you deeply love? The kind where the world and time disappear and all you can know is the warmth of each other and your beating hearts? That is the kind of intimacy Jesus longs to have with you. He wants your undivided and total attention. He longs to have you engaged in knowing how deeply He loves and cares for you. He wants you to be in sync with Him on the dance floor of life each step of the way. It's impossible for Christ to have a relationship with you, and support you through your earthly travels, if you never join Him in the dance or when you dance with Him infrequently. 

How are you dancing with Jesus?

Are you.....

- not dancing at all and standing against the wall of life trying to make it through alone or with others that don't know Him

- doing the jitter bug with a quick and fast paced "Lord, just running by to say hello"

- in the midst of a square dance taking turns with Him between all the other dance partners and constant distractions in your life

- line dancing and going through the steps of ritualistic prayers and traditional obligations

- slow dancing with Him every day and knowing His heart and desires for you

If you don't know Jesus or don't know how to dance with Him, you can come to know Him by giving your life to Him. If you follow Him and know Him as your Savior He will teach you all the steps in the dance of life. Soon you will be a graceful dance partner with the Lord. Life, and your heart, will never be the same! So, what are you waiting for? Jesus is the Lord of the dance. Take His hand and follow Him. 

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3