~Fitting In~

Fitting in is something I am learning is just pointless to do in life. Too much stress, and work has to go into being the right person for everything. Something we are told when we are teens and children don't try to fit in and be a follower. But then we become older and wake up to the fact we are doing just that as older adults, trying to fit in. we have to wear the right cloths, speak the right words. pray the right prayer. But when thinking on it why do we really do that?!?! I am not sure I even really know why. Is it that we feel we need the acceptance of others. Maybe we have trapped our selves into that center minded world. Maybe we grow up that way and don't know any other way. In Romans 12:2 it says.. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." We don't need to try to be perfect in the eyes of man but we are already perfect in God's eyes! It's that a great word of truth and good feeling to know that we don't need to try to be people we are not. I think that is one of the reasons I loved Rich Mullins so much not just as a music artist but person. He was a person who was not trying to impress anyone. He lived for Christ and no one else. He dealt with his own struggles and not anyone else's. And that's something to note about how he lived. I think we get so enmeshed into other peoples problems in life. We feel we are able to fit what is broken then there lives. Or we try to pull people into our mess thinking they have a quick fit. But in reality It's only Christ who can mend the broken. I think even in the local culture we try to fit in. Take our American regions for example. We have the Southerners, the Yankees, the Westerners and the Foreigners. Why is it we must fit into one of these groups just by the way we act or sound. I think this creates a boundary, But that's another topic for another day. I think over all we need to define ourselves for who we really are and not that person or persons we try to become. I think our Worship can be in the same way. We try to worship God in a way that sees fitting for a group of people or that person your trying to please. Why can't we just be who we are. Worship the way we want. Speak, act, walk and do what is true to ourselves. Without having that label or worrying about having to "fit in".

Something to think about,

-JD    

~Choices We Make~

Don't you wish life was spelled out for us on a map from A to Z leading us down the right path each
turn. "Go left, right, right again and stay forward into the life God has for you." Sadly I am not sure life is every that simple and easy. Even in the pain of God shutting doors I find it helps in picking the right door when others close making the light on your path more clear. But what happens when God allows more then one door to stay open. Then the choice that can be hard to take. Not knowing if your walking into the right door or not. Not knowing whats on the other side. But at some point we know if we don't take that first step we will be standing in the same place going nowhere in life. Sometimes I am given the picture of my son who when sometimes told to go inside or to go somewhere he will just stop and stand there thinking. "Do I go do it or do I choose to stay." I think we start to find our safety in staying in one place as there is so much unknown by picking a way or door to go through. Sometimes I don't think God really cares if we make this choice or that one. I think He wants to see if we have the Faith to just stand up and move. I once was told that if God allows more then one door or path to come open He will bless you in whatever path you choose to take as long as it's for His Glory. I have to think that statement is true... So as I take this time to think, pray and wonder, The time counts down, life goes by and my heart stays incomplete until I stand and take a step. The sad part is I really know know where I am going, what will happen or even what way I am going to go. All I know is I have to stand and just walk.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight."-Proverbs 3:5-6      

In His Grip,
-JD

~Joy Comes In The Morning~

I love fall! Its that time of year again where we can bring out the colors, put on the coats, light the good smelling candles and buying a but load of pumpkins to place around the house and yard. Oh How I love this time of year! Even the smell outside is amazing. Even this morning while drinking my coffee and having my window open I came across some "Fall" music to listen to. Yes, I know really, there is music just for the season. Even as I am able to get a little blogging in I am listening to a CD called Hello, October. It's got a indie/folk genre feel to it. Anyway you look at it I think its all fitting for this great season. While thinking about fall I am reminded that how blessed we are. Even when we have times we face that are stressful and deal with those times we just want to call "The BLAH of our Life" (as I can't think of any other name for it). There seems to be a lot of Blah times we face in our lives but Thank the Lord the joy comes in the morning. I am always telling me self joy comes in the Morning.. "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."  -Psalm 30:5 I hold on to that truth each day.

In His Grip,

-JD