Becoming the Chief

"The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." (Psalm 118:22 NKJV) Society often rejects those that are weaker in any form. They are considered less important and of value. But, God does just the opposite. He takes those that are considered weaker, and uses them to let His glory shine. Take David for instance...as a boy he was small and skinny, yet he slayed a giant no one else could...and only with a sling shot and some stones. Then, as an adult he made some very bad judement calls and decisions. But, God made him a great king. There are many, MANY examples in The Holy Bible like this. So, don't ever doubt your worth and value, and don't let anyone try to undermine your worth. God works through all of us, and He will take the least of us and make us the greatest...and since we all have flaws, imperfections, and make huge mistakes God will make all of us great in our own way! Love, Beau

Being Well

"Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul."* Being well starts with being content. One has to learn that no matter what is going on, to be okay with it. That does not mean one has to like it, just be at peace with what's happening. Part of this can also pausing, and taking the time and energy to find the good in everything. For example, if you're in an area paralyzed by snow, you can use that work time and use it to spend more time with your family making wonderful memories playing in the snow. A friend, that worked for hotel reservations, once got a complaint call from a newlywed couple because it was raining and that wasn't the weather predicted. She calmly told them to put on their swimsuits and go play in the rain. They were a little stunned by this, but the friend later got a call from them saying they had played in the rain, and it was the best part of their honeymoon! Taking time to find a way to be okay with the negative can make all the difference! The Holy Bible says, "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:..Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have." (Phillipians 4:11b; Hebrews 13:5a NKJV) So, the next time something makes you angry, sad, upsets, anxious, or frustrated...be at peace and be well! Love Beau

*"It Is Well" - Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873; .Music: Ville du Havre, Philip P. Bliss, 1876

God's Love

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;" (Psalm 23:1-4a NKJV) God. Our Father...Our Shepherd. In some ways, they are overlapping, but both show how God loves and protects us. God guides us and leads us to places of safety, and teaches us the right and wrong paths to take; He gives us everything we need, often what we want, so that we don't lack for anything; God gives us quiet, soft places to sleep, and watches over while we sleep. He leads us to water both to drink and to fill our souls; And, at the end of our earthly lives, just like a loving parent or guardian, He is there with us comforting us, easing any fears, giving us peace, guiding us toward "the light," and helping us transition from this life to the next. Both a father, and a shepard, would do this for those they are in charge of because they love them...and God is both our shepherd and our father...and He loves us. Love, Beau

Giving Love

Love came down with Jesus. And, love is about giving. God gave us new life through His son. That's the deepest form of giving. Giving is not just about giving money to charities, and or baking stuff. It's about giving from the heart...the deepest part of our heart. It's about giving a true part of ourself to others, including our mind and souls, as well as our heart. When mom is sick I give of myself by lying on the bed with her and purr, to help her feel better and comfort her, instead of playing or bird watching. It's what I choose to do because I love. Every where you look there are people hurting, hungry, lonely, etc. Don't just give them a handout of money or some food. Give them your heart. Give them your mind and soul. Take time to just listen. Everyone has a story. How many people do you see actually taking time to share themselves with the homeless and the drunks. Maybe THAT is what they really need...someone to make them feel valued and genuinely cared about...and loved. That is what compassion is all about. Love is about giving compassion. God has tremendous compassion, which is why He gave His son for us. So, give YOU this year. You'll receive more in return than you can imagine! Love came down through Jesus, but it continues in the present by our works. Love, Beau

Superbowl SONday - God vs Satan

"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelations 12:7-9 NKJV) God and His angels, led by Michael are facing team Satan (aka The Dragon or The Devil). It's a fierce battle and they are in the fourth quarter. God's team tackles the Devil's team...they score....they win!! WOOOHOO!! Team Satan is defeated and sent out and back down to where they came from. And, instead of getting gold rings to wear, God's team receives eternal life and a kingdom made of gold and pearls.! And God's team includes ALL of His children and those who truly believe in Him and follow Him! AND, God's rewards are much better than a ring! Love, Beau

** reposted from Superbowl Sunday 2009 (Feb.1).

Stillness

"Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. Be still, and know that I am God;" (1 Kings 19:11-12; Psalm 46:10a NKJV) In these verses, you will see that God was not in the strong wind, not in the earthquake, nor the fire. It does not say he wasn't in the still small voice. That is THAT is where God WAS. He was in the still small voice that followed. He is in the stillness that is like the quietness that comes after a heavy snow that leaves a soft white blanket that covers the earth. In that quiet hush that one experiences once the earth is covered. (You know what I'm talking about!) And, because God comes in a still small voice, He wants US to be still so that we can hear Him, through the world's clamor, and know that He is God. Being still is not just about being quiet and listening. It's also about stilling your mind and body as well, so that you are completely ready and open to hearing Him. He tells us, "Be STILL and know that I am God." Love, Beau

Rising From the Ashes

"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (1 Cor. 14:33 NKJV) Some people say that God caused the earthquake in Haiti, and or that He allowed it. We don't always know the reasons for tragedy and who/what caused it and why. What we do know is that God is for good and peace, not confusion and harm. Even though God can be parental and punish us, He loves us and only wants the best for us. He does NOT want harm to come to us. Another thing about God is that when does take something from us, He's not punishing us, but instead is opening us up to receive something even better. Sometimes everything has to be totally stripped away to be healed, cleaned, and to make room for all the newness. Haiti has this opportunity. If all of us who are helping take the time to properly rebuild Haiti, they will have better and safer buildings, that also can be more modernized; bigger and better schools, orphanages, and hospitals (also more modern); wells for receiving clean and fresh water; and safer and stronger homes. If we all take a look at what they need to improve their lives and work toward that, and not hurry just to replace what they had, they can not only rise from the ashes but they can have a better, new life...and that can give us all hope. Hope that no matter what happens in life, no matter how stripped of everything, we can ALL rise from the ashes and be better for it in the end. Thanks be to God!! Love, Beau