Smiling At The Future, Proverbs 31:25

Buddy has a peculiar, yet entertaining, personality. He cannot tolerate closed doors. Every interior door in the house must be open at all times or he scratches at the door and pitches a fit. Buddy must know what lies beyond each door. It can be very inconvenient when trying to dress or use the restroom when there are other people in the home.

Buddy also wants to apply this rule to my patio door. However, I’m trying to get him to understand that the outer door cannot be open while the air conditioner is on or the groundskeepers are using the leaf blowers, blowing noxious dust and pollen into the air. But in his mind, the patio of part of “inside.”

In this broken world, it’s easy for me to get discouraged. I’ve been struggling with my creative writing, an activity I’ve joyously engaged in since first grade. I’ve been trying to figure out why I keep procrastinating, despite having numerous ideas for stories.

Perhaps you’re feeling stuck and also wondering why. Maybe this blog post will help.

Yes, nine years of severe insomnia likely burnt me out as I got only 1-4 hours of sleep a night for 6 years (later 4-6 hours for 3 years), while still getting up at 4:45 to pray then drive to work.

Yes, publishing and promoting the first book and short story collection was hard work and cost money. But it was fun too.

My computer died just before completing book two, already delayed by the insomnia. Surgery and moving also created delays.

Self doubt: Definitely an issue. Does God approve of my spending time this way? Am I wasting my time? Does the world really need my cartoons and books?

But what I’m realizing is that the true issue is—a lack of faith.

I’m wanting the outcome guaranteed before I risk the time and effort it takes to produce quality material. Or to strike out into new endeavors, like podcasting.

I’d like to think that I’m more like Peter, the only one of 12 apostles to step out of the boat to walk toward Jesus on stormy water. Or like David, marching out to fight the giant Goliath with just a sling and some smooth stones.

But too often I’m like the apostles, huddled in the boat, watching Peter step out.

Or like King Saul and the army of Israel, quaking in fear for 40 days, listening to the giant’s taunts, then watching a teenage boy run to meet the challenge.

I’m like Buddy, wanting to see what’s on the other side of the door at all times.

I want a guaranteed outcome. I want all my ducks lined up in a row, knowing how it’s all going to fit together before starting.

But that’s not trusting God.

Nor is it reality. The only predictable thing about life is that it’s unpredictable.

God tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

God says there will be times that I will be baffled by life but just keep doing what I know is right, as defined in His Word, the Bible, and He’ll work it out.

God wants us to have positive expectation of our future, that He’s in control.

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all (Psalm 103:19).”

There are many traits listed in Proverbs 31 which define a godly woman, and one of them is optimism.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she SMILES at the future (Proverbs 31:25)”.

I’m not promoting the false teachings of “name it, claim it” or “positive confession” which claims that we are like God, speaking things into reality.

But I do believe that our attitudes inspire us to persevere or train or learn what is necessary to succeed if we believe it is achievable.

A realistic assessment of the talents God has given us, can give us an idea of the direction God wants us to take in our lives, since He’s designed each of us with a purpose in mind.

And a knowledge of “the sin that so easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1),” can show the obstacles of personality that need to be overcome through confession, repentance of that is hindering us.

So I need to admit: I’m just not trusting God before taking the next step.

I need to smile at the future, knowing that God has my back and will redirect me if I start to head in the wrong direction.

“If you stray to the right or to the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ (Isaiah 30:21)”

“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)”

God bless. Love from Dawn and Buddy.

Hope this was helpful.

***

If you’re feeling stuck, perhaps you cannot move forward because your life is stuck in the “miry clay” of sin. Have you considered that it’s Jesus Who you need to invite into your life to become unstuck?

“He brought me out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock, making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; (Psalm 40:2-3)”

By confessing your sin and need for Jesus to be the Lord of your life, making Him your God and forsaking being your own god, determining right and wrong for yourself, it’s my opinion that you’ll start to be unstuck.

I’ve never regretted becoming born again; I only regret not giving my life to Christ ten years sooner.

If you’re ready for change, please pray the following prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I call on Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Please forgive my sin. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

If you prayed with sincerity, congratulations for becoming a Christian. Please find a Bible based church or Bible study to grow in your faith and knowledge. God speaks to us primarily through the Bible and prayer.

These are also good ministries which all also have podcast apps: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way), http://www.BasicGospel.net and http://www.InTouch.org.

God bless you. See you upstairs!

This IS Your Time! 2 Timothy 1:9

Buddy

After my beloved Silky terrier, Buster, died just after his 9th birthday, our family was devastated. My heart only began to heal six months later while sitting in a tourist boat on the harbor of Croatia. Few tourists were in the boat or floating in the harbor of Dubrovnik, so I was able to focus on how peaceful and beautiful the water was rushing below me. Staring into the harbor’s depths, my spirit calmed.

About a year later, the sense of emptiness in the dogless house became stronger than the heartache of losing my soulmate doggie. It was time to bring a new furry pal into my life.

And, God provided. I accidentally hit the Silky Terrier Reacue bookmark and up popped Buddy on the screen, the first rescue available in Washington State in a year. I truly believe it was the Lord Who prompted me to pop open my iPad and hit the wrong link, as Buddy has been a blessing, being as strange as me. He has personality to burn: He could give some away to some boring dog and still be entertaining.

We live in tough and perplexing times. People are dying of a pandemic that, in my opinion, could have been prevented. Hatred for others who refuse to conform is on the rise and self righteous virtue signaling is not recognized as pride. Rioters and looters are excused while prominent people lie without conscience for money or power.

I’m sure you could come up with a list of many more but you get the point: We are living in the perilous times predicted by Apostle Paul nearly two thousand years ago in his letter to Timothy, pastor in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus.

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”—2 Timothy 3:1-4

Hundreds of churches are being mowed down in China while churches are being burned in the West. The rise in evil is palpable—it seems as if Satan’s activity is on the rise and growing stronger in influence each year.

Yes, we live in evil times and it can be discouraging. But God has you WHERE you are RIGHT NOW for a reason.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline…Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”—2 Timothy 1:7,9

Just as it was God’s timing to bring Buddy into my life, your living right now in these perilous times was planned by the sovereign King of the Universe.

You are not an accident of the universe. Your life was planned by God. You are loved by Him. And He called you into His family, His kingdom, for His own great purpose—as the Biblical verse above states.

You are important.

Your life matters.

You are helping to push the brakes on the downhill slide in our culture.

Don’t give up, get discouraged and tune out.

Please!

Ask God daily to give you the faith to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. To overcome discouragement. To discern truth from error, fact from fiction. To recognize who is deliberately, or unintentionally, trying to deceive you. To help you see anyplace you’re deceived and bring truth into that area in your life.

You’re the nightlight, preventing someone from stumbling in the darkness.

Shine on!

Much love from Dawn and Buddy.

***

Many thanks to my friend Kathy who helped me to rewrite the sinner’s prayer below.

If you sense that you’re empty inside or want to rid yourself of the burden of anger, hatred and bitterness, it could be that you do not have the light of the Spirit of Jesus Christ shining in your soul.

You see, we’re born incomplete. We are body and soul but we’re meant to be triune beings, reflecting the image of God, our Creator: body, soul and also God’s Holy Spirit inhabiting us.

But God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, yet wants to fellowship with us. His solution? Jesus died for our sins, taking the punishment we deserve, so that we can enter God’s presence. Because we’re imperfect, we must die as punishment for our sins. Because Jesus was God in the flesh and led a perfect life, He took the punishment instead. Then rose from the grave, proving that sin and death had no power over Him. Through faith, we accept His punishment in our place and avoid eternal separation from Him after physical death.

If you’d like to become born again and start a new spiritual life, please pray the following:

Dear Jesus, I call upon You to be my Lord and Savior, my friend and King. Forgive me my sins. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. Amen.

If you prayed with sincerity, congratulations for starting your faith walk. Please find a Bible-based church or Christian friend to mentor you and to fellowship with. Absolutely reject any church or teaching that does not accept all of the Bible as true. Through the Bible and prayer, God communicates to our soul by His Holy Spirit.

Following are some helpful ministries: http://www.LTW.com (Leading The Way), http://www.BasicGospel.net, http://www.InTouch.org and http://www.Creation.com.

God bless you. See you in heaven one day.

Who Has Ultimate Authority Over Your Life? John 19:11

Buddy

Buddy doesn’t fret about whether I can take care of him or not. He actually expects that I meet whatever demands he makes—although he is often disappointed!

Buddy doesn’t have the full picture. But when I say “No,” it’s because, out of love for him and his safety, I am looking out for him. He just doesn’t see it that way because he doesn’t have my perspective on his life or surroundings.

The Roman Governor Pontius Pilate warned Jesus that he had the power and authority to crucify or release Him.

But “Jesus answered, ‘You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given to you from above;’”—John 19:11

Often we think we are the ultimate authority in our lives or that the government is—maybe even our friends and family if we’re more yielding in character—but Jesus is. In fact, He declared after His resurrection that “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)”

Now Jesus had to suffer on the cross to die for our sins as the perfect sin sacrifice. He, and God the Father, permitted the Romans to kill Jesus to fulfill Scripture. The Roman leaders believed that they were in control and had made the decision over Jesus’ life, but it was an illusion. God was in control of events.

For God “works ALL things after the counsel of HIS will. (Ephesians 1:11, emphasis mine.)”

However, we don’t know the future. Even if you’re sitting on your bed at home, a pipe could suddenly burst, an earthquake occur, or an unanticipated knock could sound on your door.

God knows His will and plan for us.

So don’t fear the future, or be a masochist, suffering unnecessarily. Jesus had to go to the Cross to fulfill God’s divine will. It might be God’s will that you suffer in order to test you and refine your character. Or it might be His will that you prosper and be blessed mightily in an unanticipated manner.

Even the Apostle Paul was “let down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket (Acts 9:25)” to escape persecution in Damascus. He didn’t suffer needlessly.

It’s God’s plan. He’s ultimately in control of your life. Pray, read the Word, do the best you can—then leave the results in His hands.

God bless you. Love from Dawn and Buddy

***

Ultimately your eternal destiny rests in God’s hands. You are free to choose to follow Him and permit Him to be your Lord—or not. However, there is no escaping death or Judgment Day.

Not trying to scare you but, sometimes, there are hard facts in life that cannot be escaped.

Why not choose to willingly follow God now?

If you’d like to, please repeat the sinner’s prayer:

Lord Jesus, I call upon You to be my Lord and Savior. Please forgive all my sins—I want to follow and obey You. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer sincerely, congratulations: You are reborn, a child of God. Please find a Bible-based church to fellowship with other believers. If that’s not possible, please check out these godly ministries (which also have apps to listen to anyplace): http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way), http://www.BasicGospel.net and http://www.InTouch.org.

See you in heaven! (And, yes, I believe Buddy will be up there too!)

Everyone Breaks The First Commandment, Exodus 20:3

Buddy.

I let Buddy think he’s the boss. As long as he stays within acceptable parameters of behavior, I let him do whatever he wants, when he wants. And the rare times I do discipline him, it’s very restrained as he’s been traumatized by past abuse.

In other words, Buddy is spoiled rotten—almost, anyway. Perhaps a shade above rotten.

The story of Adam and Eve is often not understood fully. Satan tempted Eve to distrust God and rebel against His authority.

“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ (Genesis 3:4-5)”

Eve was deceived but Adam knowingly joined in rebellion against God. They wanted to be their own god—determining the rules of life for themselves, rather than following the instructions of their Creator Who made them.

In other words, they broke the first of the Ten Commandments:

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”—Exodus 20:3

Adam and Eve wanted to be “wise” (Genesis 3:6); in other words, thought that they knew better than God to determine what was right and what was wrong.

They wanted to be their own god.

Some people claim to be Christians yet want to decide for themselves what is moral or immoral, not what the Bible defines it to be. Yet, Jesus said, “He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. (John 14:21)” Part of loving Jesus is wanting to obey Him.

I’m not claiming that I perfectly obey God. No way. You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7) and are disciplined by God if you refuse to repent, just as an earthly Father disciplines a recalcitrant child (Hebrews 12:5-6)). I don’t like reaping or being disciplined. It sucks.

My main point is: Who do you look to in determining what is right or wrong?

Yourself, the culture, the government, the crowd, your friends, your family, a musician, an actor, a band, a guru, an author, a politician or: fill in the blank?

Or the Lord?

Whoever that person or entity is, they are your god.

Please choose wisely and follow Jesus. He loves you more than Himself, as He came into our world as a human male and died for our sins, suffering extreme pain and punishment toward, and on, the Cross.

Since He is the One Who made you, He’s got the perfect instruction manual for your life.

It’s a lifelong process of learning that manual!

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy.

***

If you’d like to begin that journey with God, making Him your Boss, Your Lord Who defines right and wrong, please pray the below:

Dear Lord Jesus, I call on You to be my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me of my sins. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I believe that You came in the flesh, born of a virgin, died on the Cross for my sins, and was resurrected bodily from the grave. Lead me and guide me into all righteousness. Thank you for loving me and hearing my prayer. Amen.

If you prayed with sincerity, congratulations. You are born again, inhabited by the Spirit of God. Please find a Bible-based church to fellowship with and grow in the knowledge of God. These three ministries will also assist you: http://www.BasicGospel.net, http://www.InTouch.org and http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way).

God bless you. See you in heaven.