All You Need Is Love

We all want to make a significant contribution in this world. We want to make a difference. We want our lives to matter. We want to be remembered beyond our lifespan. Many people spend their lives building things or acquiring things to prove their importance. Think McMansions. But they are all wrong. Only three things will last: faith, hope, & love. The most powerful is love. You will be remembered for how you love. You build an eternal legacy by how well you love. You get to take your heart with you to heaven. " People are not remembered for what they make. People are remembered for what they gave away."* It is not acquisitions or achievements that matter in life, but relationships. Loving God and loving people are the ultimate goals, the eternal work, really the only things that matter. So on this Valentine's Day, spread love everywhere. Show loving kindness to everyone, especially those who are hard to love. Because it the end, such invisible work is the only actions that will last forever.  Sending you love ~JBM


*Warren, R. (Feb 6, 2014). 40 days of love: Love matters most, Part 1,.2-6-14,  Daily Hope with Rick Warren Podcast

Focus

It's 6 am on a Sunday morning, the Lord's day, the Sabbath, the day of rest.  I can't sleep because my work is swirling uncontrollably in my mind: too much to do and not enough time. I open my computer, and my home page flashes Matthew 6:30: "If God so clothes the grass of the field,... will He not much more so clothe you?"   The Author  continues to challenge me to focus on Jesus: receiving His Spirit, relying on Him, and obeying Him as the path to peace.  I especially related to the phrase "cluttered our minds with worries."   Melissa  once said, "prayer is the only cure for a worried heart."  I am again amazed at God's grace to give me JUST the message I need at JUST the moment I need it!  The clear task for today is to breath the Holy Spirit.  Pray without ceasing!  Clean the clutter of worry out of my mind and replace it with assurance that God will give me all I need to do the tasks HE has for me to do. Praise our gracious God!! - Blessings ~ JBM

Wise Men & Signs

There was only one group of Wise Men who searched for the infant King of the Jews.  There was a bright star, probably visible to the world, but only one group of men who understood the significance.  Only those few Magi comprehended the huge importance of this birth, and left their lives behind to worship this King. Perhaps the signs that seem ordinary coincidence to others are only visible to those whom God calls.  So many times, I have seen the fingerprints of God in the minuscule details of my day, so easily overlooked if I did not pay attention to the whisper of the Lord.  God sends an ever so gentle tap on the shoulder to accompany those signs.  The Magi felt that tap, and followed the star. Melissa felt that tap, and made a prayer journal for a friend, which later became the inspiration for the book, Melissa's Prayer Journal.  Melissa also knew that the rainbow balloon which hovered in our  home throughout the nine months of her first chemotherapy treatment was God's sign to her.  I passed it day in and day out, month after month, and never understood.  The sign was for Melissa, not me.   When the Lord sends you a sign, no one else may understand the significance but you.  So, you need to follow your own star, rely on your own sense of God's calling, and worship in the way you are being called, for we all have our own paths and our own purpose on this earth for worshiping our King of Kings.  Keep listening, pay attention to the signs, and encourage others to do the same. Wishing you all the  miracles of Christmas! - JBM

PS- I have a blog for nurses and others who are care givers. Please pass it along: The Heart Of A Nurse

Divine Provision

I'm having some knee "issues" recently, which have dramatically decreased my mobility.  Nothing to complain about, but definitely a life-change.  I realized this morning that God had already provided for me before all this happened.  My recent job change brought a parking space in the same building as my office, on a small, lovely campus with little walking needed.  My old job had a large garage a long two block walk from my office building, which would have been difficult for me these past two months.  I marvel at how God provides for our needs, even before we know we have them!!   As Melissa said, "God takes care of the little things to show us we can trust Him with the big things".*  So, stay connected, and keep looking for the ways the Lord is taking care of you today, even before you know to ask!  Blessings on your day! ~ JBM

Sitting on the Sidelines

I've been watching some loved ones struggle these past few months.  Nothing major, like life and death, but definitely anxiety provoking for them.  I want so much to tell them what to do and how to approach everything. And when I try, my well-intentioned advice is not necessarily appreciated.  The Lord has helped me to see that struggle is a necessary part of life!  We learn the best lessons when we are stretched in ways we could not have imagined, and we grow to heights that are not possible otherwise. We actually learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes!  When people we care about are struggling with issues, they have a chance to see God and grow in faith in immeasurable degrees. Melissa speaks to struggling with issues and reports with joy the inspiration that came from it!   So, my role is to uncomfortably sit at the sidelines, and try to stay out of what God is doing in other people's lives!  I need to maintain a respectful distance, approachable silence, and prayerful support as the Lord does His work in the lives of others.  Meanwhile, God has given me plenty to keep me busy!  So, I will focus on doing my calling this week, and let the Lord give the orders to everyone else!  Wishing you times of clear sailing and spiritual hearing! Blessings ~ JBM

Arguing with God

I have the unfortunate habit of arguing with God.  I don't mean to be disrespectful or rude, difficult or rebellious, I just don't always appreciate the direction I'm being told to take.  I just don't want to do what the Lord is asking!  For example, this summer I felt I was suppose to write a note to one of my top superiors in my new job complimenting her on a bit of wisdom she shared at graduation.  Even though I believe passionately in the importance of spreading as much sincere, specific, positive thoughts as possible in the universe, I felt self-conscious and uncomfortable about this note. The individual has never even met me, and certainly would think I was simply flattering!  So, I didn't do it.  After about six times of having that person come to mind while I was reading a reflection or in prayer, I caved it.  I wrote the note many weeks later.  I don't know why God thought my little note would be meaningful to this person, but our role is to follow Jesus, not argue with him. Mind you, I have never won an argument with God, and I certainly do not recommend it!  Melissa struggled and questioned God in a prayer that she wrote in her cancer journal.  Questioning God's wisdom is the natural, human reaction to the difficult things in life. I used to feel badly about arguing with my Lord, but I just listened to a sermon that encouraged struggling, questioning and arguing with God.  The important thing is remaining in dialog with God!  As long as we keep talking and listening to Jesus, we will be OK!  When we turn away, we are in danger.  I also realized that God wants to help me with the difficulties in my life!  He can only do that when I bring them to Him, so I can realize HE is helping me!  So, pray today about the tough challenges in your life as well as the reasons to praise. And let our awesome Creator not only help you through those things, but also hold you and keep you and fill you with joy that goes far beyond our circumstances!  Blessings ~ JBM