God Exacts Less

"Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves." (Proverbs 11:6 NKJV) We are always harder on ourselves than others are. Why???? What good does it do for us to beat ourselves up, and berate ourselves over our mistakes on both things we did and or did not do. We can't change it...but we can change our present and our future. We are to be truly sorry, learn from our mistakes, move on and do our best not to repeat our mistakes. God teaches us that even He doesn't require as much from us as we require from ourselves, and that includes moving beyond our mistakes. Even when we do NOT deserve it, God shows us compassion and is loving, kinder, gentler, understanding, and forgiving. And, this is important, we are to be like God. This means we need to be kinder and gentler with ourselves. In turn, when we become kinder and gentler with ourselves we will become kinder and gentler toward others. This will have a ripple effect as well! I think we all need to post this Bible verse somewhere where we will see it every day to remind us of all this. I'm getting mom to put it somewhere for me! Love, Beau

Each Day is a Gift

"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24 NKJV) As we have said before, no one knows what is around the corner. There's a saying that says that yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow only a dream, and all we have is today. This is how we are supposed to live our lives...just for today. And, since we never know what will happen tomorrow each day is a gift from God. Many people with mom's handicap don't live to adulthood and mom has even lived 7 1/2 years longer than even she thought she would. She said it changed her perspective. Mom went from waiting to die to seeing each day as a gift. But, we shouldn't wait for something to happen to see life as a gift, we should see it as God giving us this wonderful gift of a day, filled with surprises, joys, and challenges that stretch us to becoming better. He made this day for us to enjoy and get the most out of it we possibly can. So, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Love, Beau

God Loves a Good Band

"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD." (Psalm 150:3-6 NKJV) God loves it when we sing and dance and play instruments to show our joy, and praise Him. He wants us to be carefree, and to be able to show our praise in whatever way we feel best shows how we feel. God created music, or at least He gave us the ability and talent to have music. Music is in our souls, whether or not we are good at it. It's a part of us and a natural part of worship to the singing of hyms, praise bands, and sometimes it is even a part of the scripture reading and or sermons. So, the next time you feel like bursting out with a praise song, or want to play an instrument for God, go ahead. And, do it loud and joyful. God will love it!! Love, Beau

Do-ers of the Word

"because you have listened to the voice of the LORD your God, to keep all His commandments which I command you today, to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 13:18 NKJV) God wants you to listen to His words. He also want you to not only to listen to them, but also to act on them. This is what is pleasing to Him. God is not just telling you something because it sounds good and it's a nice thought. He wants you to go out into the world and change it for the better! There's a reason He commands, not suggests. God tells us to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22 NKJV) The Holy Bible tells us many things to do and if we only do one new thing each day we will gradually change both the world and our lives for the better. And, that's an awesome thought!! Love, Beau