PASSION, TEARS, AND TRUST

PASSION, TEARS, AND TRUST

This morning I was passionate enough to make several phone calls to U.S. Senators in our Nation’s Capital, regarding the Impeachment hearings. My voice shook, and I had to compose myself before each call. It reminded me of my younger years when I was adamantly involved in Civil Rights marches. I guess the passion never goes away, no matter how many years pass by.

I can remember those days when I marched for Civil Rights and got expelled from high school for my participation. I remember the devastation of hearing of Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, while I was in the midst of working on his campaign.

Today, I was at the point of tears so many times, but I’m okay now.

We had a phrase when we marched for freedom and Civil Rights in the 60’s – yes, I am that old! When a subject or idea contained truth and real substance, we said: “That’s heavy!” It meant that the concept was deep, solid, and rock bottom truth.

I had the day off today, and the spirit of God led to me read Psalm 56. It’s one of those heavy chapters that David wrote, in a time of grave seriousness when he was contemplating the deep truths of life.

He starts in verse 1, saying: “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up;
he fighting daily oppresseth me.” Then he continues: “Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.” Remember, our enemies are spiritual forces that work around us in people, the atmosphere, circumstances, the things we see and hear, etc.

But David was able and made himself focus on God, no matter what his heart was suffering: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust (vv. 3-4a). I feel like he said the next line with great emphasis and conviction on these four words - “I will not fear.” The whole sentence reads: “I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (v. 4b).

Then he continues: “Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God.” David didn’t mince words but spoke honestly and rawly before God, his maker.

David was in despair and felt that he was being unfairly overwhelmed by those demons that hated him. They caused him to be so despondent and sorrowful that he cried.

The next verse tells us how much God loves us, so much that He actually is aware of every tear we shed. No one else may ever see us cry, but God does, and He is so concerned about us that He collects every tear we cry! David said: “Thou tellest my wanderings” (v. 8). This passage can be understood as: “You have kept track of and kept a record of my every sadness, my misery, my sorrow, my troubles, my tossings and turning in the night.”

God has been watching every single thing that we have suffered, and David tells us that every hurtful, horrible, tearful event is recorded in God’s book. Not only that, but God Almighty puts our tears in His bottle. Does He have a bottle for a whole lifetime of our tears? Yes, He cares that much. He keeps a record of all the times the devil has caused us pain in any way. David knew the ways of God, and he reminded Him: “Put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (v. 8).

God made us with the same ability David had: to trust in God’s love for him. Let’s embrace this wonderful truth. I think we all need it. “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me” (v. 9).

Today I felt despondent and sad, and I did my best to try to make a difference. Sometimes life is heavy, but we have to remember, like David, that God is always there to record the wrongdoings and to collect our tears. He loves us and will make things right for us, even if it takes longer than might want.

Love, Carolyn

You can take a look at my books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=WINGS%3A+A+JOURNEY+IN+FAITH+

RICH LIKE AN EAGLE

RICH LIKE AN EAGLE

I was waiting at the trailhead for the rest of the hiking group. It started to sprinkle and was an unusually cold morning for Las Vegas. I saw movement up at the top of the cliffs and got my binoculars focused on one large golden eagle sitting at the edge of the cliff and another circling in the sky. They were getting ready to fly above the oncoming storm. Being above the storm, they cruise along peacefully. If only we could be as smart!

Satan wants to fill us with fear about the future. We can't let him do that. The Lord has already rescued us and made a way for us to rise above like the eagle.

Our God is a good God. That sounds like a no-brainer, but how often have we gotten worried, scared, or angry about our circumstances and felt that our present situation and our future looks pretty dim?

The following situation happened to me a few years ago. Las Vegas wasn’t building, so painters like me didn’t have jobs. When this happens, I normally do a lot of side jobs, but people were being tight with their money and didn’t want to pay for extra projects. Besides that, I was caring for a sick friend so I had more expenses. Things were going downhill financially. It hit me like a brick wall, but friends and family helped, and I cut way back on my spending, cutting my bills down, etc. It didn’t hurt me a bit.

I was glad to experience what I did. The Lord showed me how to cruise through, one event at a time. My low financial state took me to new heights spiritually.

I met some of the greatest and most loving people in the most unexpected places—places I’d never even thought of visiting before. The Lord was showing me a wealth of blessings, and only a small part of it had to do with money prosperity.

In the last several years, there has been so much preaching about financial prosperity, that many Christians have felt ashamed if they haven’t become instantly rich like the church leaders. I’ve come to believe that much of this prosperity teaching is not Biblical.

Hebrews 13:5 says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” When we get back to believing in this simple truth, we will forever be rich and free.

The Bible says: “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied” (Ps. 37:19). The NIV reads: “In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.” And in the NAS: “They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they will have abundance.” Our abundance is more often a matter of attitude, rather than a plethora of physical items.

I was financially poor a few years ago, and yet with God, I soared like an eagle above the storm because I learned to ride the Word. What I received spiritually and in my soul was wonderful and worth so much more than money could buy. Money itself isn’t a bad thing at all. The Bible says that the love of it is the root of evil. God is talking about the kind of love that when a person goes after it, they will do anything it takes to get it and then keep it. It’s kind of like a stalker. Going after money becomes an obsession, and the person’s focus takes a turn into perversion.

God warns us: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10).

No matter what our situations may look like and no matter what the world’s financial circumstances are, we can’t let fear lock us into bad times. We “seek those things that are above… and set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:1-2). Our God is a good God and will always provide a way for us to rise like an eagle above any storm.

Isaiah 40:31 tells us: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Love, Carolyn

Today through Tuesday WINGS Sample book, SUPERNATURAL POWERS is available FREE. Get your copy today: http://www.amazon.com/WINGS-Journey-Sample-SUPERNATURAL-POWERS-ebook/dp/B00HZ2CB58/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424618568&sr=1-10&keywords=carolyn+molica

If you’d like it via a word doc or pdf, let me know at cjmolica@hotmail.com

NO COINCIDENCES

My friend permitted me to share her post from yesterday. I thought it was a great story on how God alerted her to make sure she stayed safe 😊

NO COINCIDENCES! By Reggie Greenleaf

“I am a firm believer that if we will just tune into God that He will continually keep our feet from trouble. Now even the best of us are not perfect at it, but boy am I thankful that He is constantly trying to get through to us. I experienced this in a big way in the early hours this morning!

Lulu, because of the heart condition, typically has to go out twice a night. She will start coughing, and that alerts me that she probably needs to go out. Sometimes she will just give a little cough and turn over. This morning around 3:45 she started coughing. Then she stopped and I thought maybe I might get to lay there for a little while longer before going out in the cold to take her and Big Dog out.

She kind of moved around, and I had the thought to go ahead, get up, and take them out. We went out at 12:30, and at 3:45, she was about at her max, so I got them up, trudged through the house and as I got to the deck door, I realized that I had forgotten to turn the lights out on the porch.

I have strings of outdoor Christmas lights that I have plugged into the porch light receptacle and they light up most of my yard so I can see the dogs and also any danger that might present itself.

As I was getting ready to step out the door, I heard a little pop and looked at the receptacle and saw sparks arching out from the piece that holds the plugs for the lights! I quickly turned off the light switch and unplugged everything.

Then I had to go find a flashlight so that I could see the dogs and the yard. As if this wasn't nerve-racking enough, I realized this morning that there were numerous flammable items. (hornet spray, paint, etc.) sitting in close proximity to the sparks.

My early morning venture could have been so much more disastrous had I not paid attention to that voice that said get up. I do not doubt at all that it was God who prompted Lulu to cough and followed it up with a prompting to get up and move. I am so thankful for my heavenly Father's care and concern for all of us!

Draw close to Him and learn His voice and realize that He loves us more than we can comprehend or understand!”

Love, Carolyn

YOU WOULDN'T WANT YOUR WORST ENEMY TO GO TO HELL

YOU WOULDN'T WANT YOUR WORST ENEMY TO GO TO HELL

Can’t wrap your mind around forgiveness? Take a look at any of these videos about hell; you’re not going to want your worst enemy to go there. God created people and loves all of us. But He’s not a dictator or puppet-master. He allows us to think for ourselves and to choose who we want to serve. Instinctively, our souls seek our creator, but demons are tricky and have duped many. When you watch any of these videos, you will have a deeper desire to rescue those whose end looks like Hell.

Jesus tells us that hell was designed for the devil and his demons, not for man. Matt 25:41: “Then shall he say also unto them, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Proverbs 24:17 says: “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” And Jesus, as he was being crucified said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

You’ll see why Jesus said that when you watch any of these short videos on hell. I’ve also included a few clips of people who’ve made contracts with Satan, like Bob Dylan, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, and several rap stars, and what happens to them.

There are hundreds of scriptures in the Bible about hell, the devil and Satan, but for the most part, we’ve chosen not to look at them. But this stuff is real.

Did you ever wonder about the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth?” I have. One of the videos listed below defines this in a way you will understand what it means. These clips are by various people, not preachers necessarily in the traditional way we see them. The most conservative of all are Bill Wiese and his wife.

You’ll never see things quite the same after watching any of these. And you’ll have a great desire to forgive and help people. I’m not afraid to look at these kinds of videos every so often, because it was a subject Jesus spoke on. God shows us the truth of our times if we want to know. I believe we have to open our eyes. People in our world are in trouble and we can help them.

Love, Carolyn

These are just some of the clips I’ve seen. There are many more. The Bible describes horrific things about hell and these videos could be scary to some people. Most are not professionally done, so be a little patient.

1. Bill Wiese – 23 Minutes in Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzpjzS2GIc

2. is a pretty creepy one but informative https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkgunX_Sa_0

3. This guy is simple and sweet. Have a little patience with him. He defines “gnashing of teeth” at 19 minutes if you want to fast forward. I suggest starting at 3 minutes.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxAyw-fxJ_U

4. Tireo is a Christian rapper. He’s a little wild, but when you consider the nature of many rappers, he is perfect for that genre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkqSC8z2RIk 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwUffrMRDqE

5. A few clips about celebrities selling their souls to Satan:

Beyonce (go to about halfway through and start there) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moojoNsxtyc

Katy Perry, Bob Dylan contract with Satan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDM7D1teDco

UNDER HIS WINGS

UNDER HIS WINGS

Sometimes I just want to breathe a sigh of relief and be comforted. And that’s when I like to picture myself snuggled under God’s wing.

Psalm 91:4 says: “He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust.” I love to revel in that image. It brings peace to my mind and heart.

David said: “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wing” (Ps. 36:7). Almighty God is willing to put His powerful and protective wings over us because He loves us so much.

In another Psalm, David prayed: “Hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Ps. 17:8). Under God’s wing, nothing can hurt or harm us.

Ruth was a Moabite. When she lost her husband, her mother-in-law told her she should go back to her people. But Ruth wanted to stay and take care of her widowed mother-in-law. She decided, “Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Boaz saw Ruth’s meekness and said, “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust” (Ruth 2:12).

I imagine Ruth was in some ways very alone in this new place and with new people, so it must have been a wonderful feeling that she could rely on and feel comfort from God.

So, if you’re like Ruth or me and sometimes feel like you need a break or some extra comfort, or you feel like David and need to hide, you can picture yourself cozy under the wing of God.

Love, Carolyn

If you’d like to get my preach letter on a different platform, let me know. I send it out by snail mail, e-mail, on FB, WordPress and Blogger. Or if you’d like to unsubscribe, I can take you off the snail mail or the email.

If you have family or friends who’d like to get the preach letters, let me know and I can add them to my mailing list.

HOW TO PRAY USING THE SCRIPTURES

HOW TO PRAY USING THE SCRIPTURES 

There are many ways to pray, and one method is to use the scriptures as part of our prayers. Here’s a three-step way I’ve found to be effective.

Step 1: Find the scripture that speaks to your heart regarding your issue. Sometimes that’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes the terms we use today aren’t written in the older Bible versions. We’ll need to look up something in more general terms. Where do we look them up?

There are two online sources that I use: Bible Gateway is the first. It’s easy to use. I type the word I want into the search box, and it comes up everywhere it’s used in the Bible. The second resource is the Blue Letter Bible online. I can see the definitions of the words from the original Biblical texts. I’ve put the links to these two sources at the end of this article. The information in these two sources is also available in traditional books. Another good source is Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living by June Davis. This book is one of many books that list scriptures according to the topics or subjects a person might want to look up. 

Even though it takes a little effort to find a scripture or two, it’s worth it. God speaks through the revelation in His written word. Jesus tells us: “Search the scriptures” (John 5:39).

Once we find a scripture that speaks to us, we read it and thank God for helping us to receive what it says. Even if we start off pleading with God, that’s okay. In Isaiah 43:26, God tells His people: “Put me in remembrance: let us plead together.”

The more we pray with honesty and openness, the closer our relationship with the Lord grows. We learn to trust God because we see that He hears and answers us.

Step 2: Realize we have an enemy. The devil has always tried his best to stop people from praying. Then when they do pray, the devil tries to get them to doubt that God has time to listen. But with scripture that backs up our requests, we can use that scripture as a sword against “the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).

Jesus showed us how to use Step 2. When the devil fought Jesus mentally and emotionally in the wilderness, Jesus came back at him with: “It is written!” Satan is the one who stands in the way of our godly answer to prayer, but God Almighty’s words are weapons that don’t break. Jesus spoke directly to Satan: “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve’” (Matt. 4:10).

God stands behind His Word. He calls it a sword and buckler (Eph. 6:17 and Ps. 91:4). A sword is an assertive hostile weapon. Generally, we think of a buckler as an implement that will shield us. That’s true, but it also has projections on the front to pierce and injure the enemy. We push Satan back with the sword and buckler. Jesus says: “It is written,” to confront the enemy with truth directly. We remind Satan that what God has written is true, and he has no power to stop it. And that brings us to step 3.

Step 3: Say the scripture aloud. Saying something aloud is a double-whammy. You use two senses – your mouth and your ears. This step is self-confirming, and it helps, especially when our faith may be a little weaker than we want it to be.

Using this three-fold way of praying makes it real. It strengthens prayer life and helps bring the results we desire.  

Love, Carolyn

These are the links to the resources I mentioned above:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=navel&t=KJV&ss=1#s=s_primary_0_1

https://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. What the three steps to prayer talked about in this chapter?

2. Have you ever begged or beseeched God like David did? Describe the situation. Have you ever started a prayer with begging and then at a later date realized you could thank Him because you were now convinced it was answered?

3. What is Step Two? Cite a scripture that backs this up.

STILL A LITTLE STUBBORN OR REBELLIOUS?

STILL A LITTLE STUBBORN OR REBELLIOUS?

I was working on a gold leaf project with my union company. The project got delayed, and I needed to find a filler job. I have a list of people I call for just this sort of situation, and I knew the Lord was telling me to make the calls. But I was enjoying my time off and I was stalling. Somehow making those calls seemed too difficult and I was dreading it.

I took the coward’s way out and left messages on their home phones rather than just calling them directly on their cell phones. When no one called back, I knew I was going to have to change my attitude. I was reluctant because doing the right thing meant stepping out of my comfort zone. I felt I was being pushed, and I didn’t like it. I was tired and I was stubborn.

Most of us have some residual stubbornness and rebellion in us. Our spiritual life changed when we got born again, but our soul life made up of our thoughts, emotions, and will, still needs work. Wounds need healing. We may know that situations are going to turn out great if we obey, but we allow ungodly stubbornness to get in the way.

When I didn’t make the proper phone calls, I reminded myself of Jonah in the Bible: “Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah saying, ^‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it.’ But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:1-3).

The people of Ninevah had a horrible reputation. Their brutality was renowned, so Jonah didn’t want them to be forgiven and saved. He wanted them to be punished.

Jonah was pretty sure that if God was sending him there, the king would most likely repent, it would turn out good, and God would forgive and save the city. It was God’s nature to forgive, and Jonah didn’t want to be any part of God’s mercy right now.

But God didn’t let him go that easily. Jonah ended up in a near shipwreck, got swallowed by a whale, and three days later got barfed up onto the beach. It was after this tumble of events that Jonah decided he better go ahead and do the thing God asked him to do. Like with me, the thing God asked of Jonah wasn’t hard. It was something Jonah was used to doing. He didn’t feel like doing it this time.

When we are rebellious or stubborn, it’s because we value our own opinions and desires above the Lord’s. We haven’t yet totally learned or believed that He really does love us and always wants the very best for us.

We’ve learned not to trust people, and we apply the same kind of attitudes toward God and the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t submit quickly, but instead, we hesitate, rebel, or cross our arms and huff, digging our defiant heels in like a stubborn child that wants everything his way.

Finally, after some stiff coaxing from the Lord, Jonah went to Nineveh, warned the king, and the city was saved.

I’ve never had the Lord ask me to do something I couldn’t do.  More often than not, what He asks is something small. The devil likes to deceive us and make it look like a big deal, but most of the time, it’s not.

God loves us right where we are and only asks us to do things that end up blessing us—one small thing at a time.

I knew if I just made the phone calls, someone would have a fun and profitable job for me. Finally, I did do the right thing and ended up with not one, but three jobs!

I know we want to do bigger things in our lives, and God will help us to do them, but only when we’re ready. Even Jesus had to grow: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

We grow by making a steady habit of saying yes to the small things without being stubborn or rebellious.

Being obedient is one way we can magnify the Lord’s presence in our lives.

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. Cite a situation where you knew to do something, but you were stalling. Describe it. Why do you think you were stalling? Did you end up doing it? What was the result?

2. When have you stepped out of your comfort zone to do the right thing?

3. What are some of the reasons Jonah may have resisted going to Nineveh? Have you ever resisted doing God’s will for the same reasons Jonah had?

4. What are some of the reasons people are rebellious or stubborn with the Lord?

5. What is a small thing the Lord has recently urged or inspired you to do? How did you respond?

6. Do you believe in your heart that the Lord really loves you and wants great things for you? Or do you still harbor a few doubts?

ARE YOU A PROCRASTINATOR?

ARE YOU A PROCRASTINATOR?

I was in the scissor lift 30 feet in the air, painting stripes on the ceiling of a new casino. I had to get the stripes painted in between two beams, and there was one small space that was hard to reach. I procrastinated. I could barely see it well enough and if I stretched out from the lift, I could do it. But---

I thought, maybe I could get a better chance at it from the other side of the column — bad decision. I moved the lift around the column and got as close as I could, took the lift up the 30 feet, and I couldn’t reach that one little spot. Shoot!

You guessed it. I had to go back down, drive the lift around to where I was before, maneuver it into the tight opening without hitting the column, go back into the air the 30 feet, stretch out over the edge of the railing and paint stripes on a piece of ceiling that was no bigger than six inches by six inches!

That experience made a lasting impression, and the mental video runs in my head whenever I am in a similar situation in my painting and other categories as well.

If we can see it now and think we can reach it, do it now. Challenging? Yes. But definitely worth it. It’s not fun to go backward and waste time trying to do something we could have done the first time. And besides that, if we hesitate and balk at opportunities in life, there’s a chance they may not come around for us again.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The word “circumspectly” comes from a Greek word that means “exactly and diligently.” 

We’ve all experienced the rush of starting off being diligent on eating right or exercising or any other great project, but then we burn out down the road.

The only way we can be diligent consistently is by allowing Christ to take an intimate role in our lives every day. True and lasting diligence is supernatural. 

Jesus Christ will be coming back to gather those who believe in Him, and we don’t know when that will be.  “But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone” (Matt. 24:36).

No second chances after He comes. No time to go back and do things over again. So if you ever thought you might like to look deeper into the things of the Bible and learn more about God; or if you thought you might, someday, want to find out who Jesus Christ really is, and how He can bless your life, I admonish you to start now.

“Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My [Jesus’] words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35).

Don’t be like me on the scissor lift, thinking I would reach that six inches later. Let’s take full advantage of seeking what the Lord presents to us today.

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. Cite a situation where you knew you should do something at the moment, but you hesitated or told yourself, “Later would be better.”

2. Do you balk at a lot of things, or are you the type of person that takes bold steps forward? Give an example from your life where you’ve balked and where you’ve taken a brave step forward.

3. According to Ephesians 5:15-16, what do wise people do?

4. True diligence is _____________. (Fill in the blank.)

5. Why don’t we have time to go back? Cite a scripture for this.

FREE DOWNLOAD THRU TUES --- Booklet of stories on the importance of the WORDS we use. If you aren’t on Amazon, then let me know and I will send a free PDF to your email. cjmolica@hotmail.com

USER-FRIENDLY BIBLE PRINCIPLES FOR EVERYDAY LIVING: true life stories of how GOD works to make an ordinary life extraordinary:

https://www.amazon.com/WINGS-Journey-Faith-Sample-Words-ebook/dp/B00BLS8SOU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1546194534&sr=8-11&keywords=WINGS%3A+A+JOURNEY+IN+FAITH

PEANUT TRIES SOMETHING NEW

This article is from a few years ago, but I love the concept, and I thought it would be a great one as we are entering a brand-new year.

PEANUT TRIES SOMETHING NEW

Peanut is our chihuahua/terrier mix. He has a few issues, including being a little intimidated by Snickers, the cat and Jane my roommate, who we call the Big Cat. Sometimes when the Big Cat makes a sudden move, Peanut runs for it. One night, I was relaxing in the bath when I heard some commotion down the hallway. “What’s going on out there?” I asked. I barely got the words out when there he came around the corner.

Peanut scurried across the floor, nails clicking on the tiles into the bathroom, jumped right up onto the edge of the tub, into my arms, and into the water! That was a first! He was running from Jane.

I gently clutched the little guy in my arms, letting his feet down into the warm water. I took my shampoo in one hand, held Peanut in the other, gave him a short shampoo massage, and then rinsed him off. I figured I’d take advantage of the situation and go for the conditioner too. I rinsed him again then lightly lifted him out of the tub and onto the bath mat. Off he ran, shaking water off his slick little body as he went out the door and into the hall.

I was finishing up, and there he came bouncing back again, jumped up on the side of the tub and into the water. Maybe he thought he was a retriever? He even started to paddle a little! What a character. Who knew our little Peanut would love the water? He wasn’t a bit afraid, and he actually liked it. I was so surprised.

(The picture I’ve included here is a few days after the incident with Peanut in an empty bathtub. What a good boy!)

This incident with Peanut can teach the rest of us a good lesson. Sometimes we find the things we like in the most unexpected places and under the most unexpected circumstances.

If you follow Jesus, you can be assured you’ll find new things along your journey that you’ll really enjoy, even if they come in the most unusual situations.

There are lots of examples from the Bible. Ruth found an awesome husband in a foreign country (Ruth 4:13-15). Peter found out he could walk on water in the middle of a storm (Matt. 14:26-32). Paul and Silas sang praises in prison and ended up at the prison keeper’s house having lunch! (Acts 16:23-40)

This phrase, “Do it afraid,” has helped me so many times. I would be nervous about something—like for instance today: my friend who was my boss just got a new job and now I’m taking her place. I’m not as detail-minded (and in so many ways, not as qualified for the job), but I’m doing it anyway.

I told my boss I would do my best and I will. But I’m permitting myself just to be myself. Jesus will be with me and if it doesn’t work out, well, the Lord will just get me something else. Despite feeling nervous about my promotion, I had a fine day, and the best thing is that I’m not stressed. So often, if we think the Lord is leading us in a certain direction, we have just to take a deep breath and give it a try.

Let’s all be a little more like Peanut and these people from the Bible: Jump into the new things that God shows us even if we think we’re afraid. We’ll probably enjoy them more than we know.

Love, Carolyn

QUESTIONS AND EASY CHALLENGES

1. When was the last time you were surprised in a good way by something new you tried?

2. When you have fear about a new activity, what do you usually do?

3. What are some stories from the Bible, where people found great blessings in new or unusual circumstances? Give a few scripture references for your answers.