Shine Today

Most of us have grown up hearing the ever famous saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." And sadly, most of us are made fun of if we dare say how wrong this saying is. Well, make fun of me all you want, WORDS CAN HURT! There are all kinds of things that play a part in how words affect us. Think about this simple test: ever have someone tell you what a great job you did or how great your picture is? You felt something as soon as the words were spoken. So how can we think the opposite isn't true? Here's your other test: ever have someone say something negative to you? Add to that ANYTHING going on in your life and those negative words can "feed" your emotions in the wrong way. Last test: ever have someone insult you? I don't just mean calling you dummy, but really really really insult you: ugly, stupid, worthless, disgusting, looser, queer...and this doesn't even include all the words I choose not to type. Let

saturday i visited my mother in law for the last time, she died a few hours after i left. sunday i helped a friend with his brothers service. monday i attended a service for my bonus daughters step dad.  death. we cant avoid it. its going to happen. and there is no pause button. it doesnt matter how many deaths you have in a week or a lifetime, nothing really prepares you for it. but theres also something about life right in the middle of death. when i was driving to see my mother in law, i took a back road, scenic, along the river. i drove slower and i could hear the birds. and see butterflies. and the scenery. it was beautiful. any other time ive gone to visit, i take a regular road and drive the speed limit (ok, maybe a little over). and i miss most of what i listed above. its a shame to miss so much life. sunday morning i went for a walk, and it was beautiful, and quiet. the breeze in my face was chilly but so nice at the same time. and at my friends brothers service there was

Today we sang a song that was written out of a time of prayer over a young boy who ended up being healed. I found myself thinking that some people could be questioning why their storm hasn't changed. Some may be questioning their faith, that it must not be strong enough since healing hasn't come, or the storm hasn't passed. Because see, even though we speak of break through, even though some people are healed, even though some relationships are restored, healing doesn't always come the way we want; break through doesn't always happen they way we asked. Relationships aren't always fixed. Finances don't always improve. BUT, it is important to understand that NO MATTER WHAT, we sing praises to God because He is still good and He is still God. AND WHEN we choose to trust Him in the middle of the storm, we find joy, strength, a peace that surpasses all understanding, an unexplainable ability to keep moving forward, to keep singing praise, to keep trusting, to lov