What lies on the other side of Fear...

 Many times we let our fear get in the way of living out what God created us to do.  I feel like most people get really intimidated when they reach a challenge God has put in front of them and pull back without thinking about what could lie on the other side.  We let our fear and uncertainty get in the way of God's plan for our lives.  So many times we miss out on the beauty that's reached at the finish line because we are to afraid to begin the race. 

This reminds me  a lot of someone who is afraid of heights that is standing at the bottom of the Empire state building looking up in fear.  Going up to the top to see what is up there is not even an option.  What that person doesn't realize is that if they were to get over their fear and embark on the journey to the top of the Empire state building they would see an awesome view of the New York City scape.  An experience that's absolute beauty is only truly experienced in person. 

Much of the time we are the same way.  We run into an obstacle in life and because of fear we stop and turn away without knowing the beauty that lies on the other side.  Without God, Yes getting over our fears is NOT an option, but with God we can achieve anything.
Some times, most of the time, we have to take that leap of faith and embark on that fearful journey,  because with faith we can be sure God WILL show up and help us along. 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Hebrews 11:1

So what's it going to be... THIS 

 

or THAT

 

 

Death: We don't accept it as a gift

Death is often looked at as a dreaded thing of life.  People don't want to die.  But what if there was something more than this world, some place you could live in eternal paradise after death?  If that is the case wouldn't people be lining up to die? As children of God we can look forward to an eternal paradise.  Heaven is that eternal paradise, but only believers "get in."   So if there is an eternal paradise waiting for Christ followers, wouldn't people be trying their best to follow God?... No the don't, WHY?... It doesn't make sense...

That's the beginning of a journal entry I wrote last April right after my mom stopped treatment.  When I wrote it I didn't realize how hard it would be with out her here, but I realized one thing at her funeral.  Mom did her "job" as a Christian.  It was so encouraging to see the number of people that showed up at her visitation and funeral service.  Mom's walk with God really did reach out to people, she had a relationship with God that's admired by many.  Mom knew where she was going and where she would be today, but that wasn't enough.  Mom wasn't going to let it be here fault that people didn't know about Christ.
It's not an easy or fun thing to get home and come to the realization that I won't see mom for a while, but I know she is up there with God and has received her rewards.  Now when I think of God I not only picture him in heaven but I picture my mom sitting right there in his lap. 

See you Later mom. 

Finding God in a Hostpital Bed.

The past few days have been strange, they've been surreal.  There is always room for miracles, but my mom seems to be very close to starting eternity with God.  When you grow up thinking about the future, you never anticipate loosing a parent early in life.  My mom's cancer has taken over her body.  This past Monday Hospice brought in a hospital bed for my mom and she's become almost unresponsive.  It's probably been the hardest thing to see the one lady, that I've looked up to the most, dying in front of my eyes.  To tell you the truth it kinda sucks. 
Dealing with all this this week God has made his presence known in my life so much.  I look at my mom and know that one day I will see my mom again.  It is unreal the amount of support my family has had through all this, the amount of food we have for dinner, the love we've experienced is unreal.  God has not left me in this time of trouble, if anything, he has wrapped his arms around me even more.  God has given me a peace about my families situation, soon my mom is going to be sitting at the feet of our Savior.  What greater gift is there?  I'm not taking this peace and using it to replace grief, but it gives me hope.  These next few months to a year are probably going to be some of the hardest for my family, but I am thankful and sooo grateful to say that I will see my mom again one day.  Don't get me wrong it is an EXTREMELY hard and saddening time but it's a I'll see you later sad not a goodbye forever sad.  God has made himself known through my mom lying in her hospital bed.

Store bought or Homemade... What's it gonna be?

The answer would be obvious if some one asked you, "What cookies would you rather have?  Store bough cookies or my Grandma's homemade cookies?"  Any body in their right mind would say "Grandma's cookies."  That's because Grandma's cookie are the real deal, along with tasting great it just feels better eating your Grandma's cookies because you know and love the baker.  Grandma's cookies  c are more than just a good cookie oppose to store boughtcookies that are processed, they might taste good but they are fake.  They have no value. 
Take that idea of the cookies and relate it to the way people live out their "Christian" faith, and what they choose to love.  It is obvious if some one were to ask you "Would believe a lie that brings death or would you believe the truth that brings life?" or "Would you rather love someone who is gonna love you back or some one who will leave you out to dry?"  If it is so obvious and easy to see the answer how come people still go towards the lies and fake happiness of this world instead of searching and finding true joy in God our creator?  God offers a life of true joy, true Love, and purpose, a life of fulfillment but people (including myself) get caught up in the things of this world, the lies of this world, this fake love. The lie that something or someone will bring us happiness when the truth is only one being can bring us happiness.  Satan likes to tell us that if we live of this world the world will love us back but what he doesn't tell us is that the love he offers is an artificial love a love that leaves us empty, it's fake it's not real.  On the other hand the love of God will NEVER leave us hungry, it will never leave us feeling empty, the TRUE love of God is the real deal, the real stuff. 
The Love and Truth of the Lord is Grandma's HOMEMADE, MADE WITH LOVE cookies. 


Shouldn't it be a no brainer on whose cookies we choose?