What's The Score?

Imagine embarrassment if there was some sort of giant scoreboard or tally board with 2 columns on it. In the column on the left side there is a running list of the times that I complain about something, get frustrated about something or someone

or just plain ole get mad.  On the right side: a running list of the times that I stop and thank God, think about just how awesome He is or just take a deep breath of His peace.  The reason that I say I would be embarrassed is that the columns would definitely NOT be equal.  I have a pretty good idea the column on the left would have way more entry's than the one on the right.  Of course you know as well as I do it should be the other way around.

Psalm 40:5 caught my eye,

"Many, Lord my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare."

One thing that I have learned is that when I am complaining  frustrated or mad I am missing out on a lot a good things.  Well, I say, "learned" but I guess I mean that I know that it is likely to happen.  If I had LEARNED that, I would probably not be doing it as much.  I would be more likely to take the time to see where God was in each situation and focus on that and also "speak and tell" of His deeds more readily.

Thank you for your patience, God.  Thank you for the reminder that the right side of the list should far, far, far out number the list on the left.

The Make Life Go Smoothly Club

Just after the first of the year I started a daily bible reading plan using the You Vision Bible app.  I chose the one entitled "Jolt of Joy", what better way to start the year that plugging in to God's Joy!  Plus, working with The JOY FM, 94.3, the name jumped out at me.  So far the reading has been wonderful - when is reading God's Word not wonderful?  Well, ok, other than that, it is pretty much wonderful all the time.

The reading for January 23rd was out of 1 Peter 4 including verse 12 which says, "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job."  This "life thing' gets difficult sometimes.  Things do not always go as planned and people do not always think the same way I do or as I think they should.  The reading also took me to 1 Peter 5 the last part of verse 5 through verse 7 says, "...but [God] takes delight in just plain people.  so be content with you you are, and don't put on airs.  god's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time.  Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." 

From this I get it!  I just need to be plain ole' Russ and enjoy what is going on around me.  There is no need for me try and figure out everything and I am not the president of the "Make Life Go Smoothly" Club.  The devotional part of the Bible reading on the 23rd included a quote from C.S. Lewis, "It is a Christian duty for everyone to be as joyful as they can be!"  There you go.  Now, what I am doing is trying, as best I can, to weed out those things and attitudes that keep me from that,

PEACE!
Russ