GIGO

Just the other day, while I was in the grocery store, I overheard a brief conversation between two people. It went like this: "Hey, how are you doing today?" Immediately the friend responded, "OH! Not well, I am just beside myself!" Then, without another word, both people put their arms over each other's shoulders, bowed their heads and prayed.

The expression, "I am just beside myself", was understood by another as a need. I never did discover why the person was experiencing a challenge. I guess I was more impressed by the pause for prayer at the produce. It's understood that in this life, each of us have difficult moments. We ALL experience setbacks and find it necessary to hurdle obstacles. None of us are exempt. In fact, if we were to REALLY take some time to chat with people, (Try it on the next  person you see after reading this), we would be overwhelmed by their challenge(s) and stories! 

As challenging as each of our negative experiences are, we shouldn't make the mistake of allowing them to DEFINE us. Allowing our thoughts to be harnessed by negative experiences/moments, fertilizes seeds of discontent. Next, sprouts emerge and the tendrils crawl into the cracks in our facade. It's easy and very human to dwell on being "beside oneself".. Soon we are held bondage by our own negativity. Our hearts will swell on what we dwell!. 

I especially appreciate the acronym  GIGO = Garbage In, Garbage Out! I've changed it a bit and believe (logically) the reverse is also true: God In, God Out.  YOU choose the content of YOUR heart. Don't be in agreement with the enemy.  There are forces that are at war with your spirit. Remember that on ANY given moment we have the God-given choice to: Bow our chin to our chest (prayer) and put negative spirits to rest! (You are welcomed to use that expression if you wish.) We are NEVER alone; "beside ourselves".  

A positive attitude puts us in agreement with God. We are Never alone. God and thee are a majority! (Use that one too!) When you agree with God, all things are possible.

Today, if you begin to feel "beside yourself', cast down those negative thoughts. Start dwelling on the fact that the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty God, has offered to carry your problems! Accept that today "no weapon formed against you shall prosper..." Isa. 54:17 LET GOD fight your battles. When you meet a caring friend ANYWHERE and they ask, "How's it going?" Smile and share your life. Tell them, "God is beside me, in me and works through me! I am NOT beside myself!" BUT, never pass by an opportunity to ask for prayer. Feel comfortable in pausing for payer, even in the produce. God has a supernatural blessing to offer in your life, my life AND the life of our friend(s). ~Pray /\

Sea of Me

When the Children of Israel ('C of I') started their historic Biblical exodus, there were many 'outsiders' that also joined the procession. The Bible refers to this tag-along-throng as the "mixed multitude". Most of this group were quite worldly-wise and brought with them their own contribution. For the most part, this contribution was not very positive. Some authors advise that this mixed-group instigated the social unrest that led to the doubt and blame that was so pervasive on the journey. In fact, Hollywood's movies that have been created about the mass exodus, portrays several vocal 'Downers' (Danny and Debbie) wandering and inciting doom and gloom! Since the group was a mix of  personalities and experiences, it's easy to imagine that it consisted of curious onlookers, friends, casual acquaintances, beggars, prostitutes, thieves, believers of other gods (faiths), co-workers, schoolmates and some who were genuinely seeking truth. There were essentially people from all of Israel's walks of  life.  

In a much different setting we see a similar scenario. When Jesus and His disciples set sail across the Sea of Galilee, they too had many "others" that followed them; people from all walks of life. For a brief moment, Satan was allowed to harness the winds, swirl the waters, and drag the I.J.S. Disciple-ship (In Jesus' Service) through an intensely soul-searching experience. What many fail to grasp is that other boats and their passengers had also set sail and by association, had experienced the same storm. In fact, because Jesus was NOT in the boat of the others, you would think that the 'others' would have experienced even more fear!

Did you ever stop to consider that during BOTH stories and ALL the experiences, the Exodus, the 'Disciple drenching' AND 'others' in the flotilla, Jesus was still with EACH person?! You might have caught the lesson well ahead of me but the fact surprised me. Let me reiterate for effect and affect. 

Here goes: During both events, Jesus the Christ was well aware of the needs of EACH disciple, each tag-along-throng member, each flotilla member and each person feeling unworthy, or perhaps TOO WORTHY! (Peter, but THAT'S another story!) Regardless of whether Jesus is physically IN our boat (mine and/or yours), we need to accept that Jesus knows where your are traveling, where you are 'floating'. All we need to do is REALIZE that an absence from God is essentially an enslavement into the world; a slow downward spiral into the 'Sea of  Me'. What each of us can see, is our self!

If I had been in the Children of Israel (C of I) mixed-multitude...somewhere, I would like to believe that I would have been near the front of the line, looking ahead, seeing what would be next, obeying, always praising, praying and singing.... but you and I know that NONE of us can do those things ALL the time! There are times when I have to admit, I do doubt just where I would be. Would I be leading? following?; perhaps just 'in the way'? (As an aside, it's odd how the expression "in the way" has come to have a negative connotation. Perhaps we should consider the words as a more positive or more Heavenly expression... like...."In the Way"; Heavenly way.)

Consider this: We are still on a journey. Much like the 'C of  I'  and/or the Sea of Galilee Flotilla, we are still wandering. All too often we seek and find new gods. Regardless, God STILL cares! Ask God to point out the demons of  distraction. Ask God to shut the mouth of the 'Downers'. If YOU have been that person, ask God to get you on track to the Promised Land! It's STILL available, through Jesus the Christ, one step at at time! ~Pray /\