MAKE IT HAPPEN

Prayer makes things happen because God answers prayer.

Once, years ago, I called my father late at night when I was in college and was worried about college life. Apparently I woke him up from deep, sound sleep as it was well after midnight when I called.

He patiently listened to my needs and request for prayer and then asked me if I had prayed about the matter. Sadly, I admitted I hadn't prayed. All I had done was worry and fret. Dad prayed with me and then kindly suggested that I spend some time in the prayer effort.

That made an impact on me. I wanted others to pray about my need, but I had not put any effort to pray. I don't even remember now what the need was, but I do remember realizing that I needed to put effort in prayer. Sadly, many people think more about prayer and wanting others to pray than they actually spend in prayer themselves. That was my mistake.

That gentle nudge by Dad convicted me and changed me. My prayer life was never quite the same. Certainly we do need the prayers of family, friends, and the church, but we need to pray too.

So, what is it that you are worrying about? Have YOU prayed about it. Or are you as guilty as I was in wanting others to pray but not spending personal time praying over the need.

Well, here is the nudge. Make it happen now. Go to God now with your need. He can really make it happen.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

New things are not always easy to do, adjust, and accept as norm. But all of us need to be open to new things, new ways of doing things, and better ways of normal functioning.

I enjoy faster, cheaper, and more effective ways of communication.

I'm glad that we're far beyond horse and buggy days.

I like all the different ways I can use my high definition TV.

Boredom comes from doing the same thing over and over in the same way. Different colors and styles in dress, and different hairdos, and different recipes, and different scenery all add spice to life and perk things up. Sometimes we need to add a new approach to prayer, Bible study, ministry, and even marriage relationships.

I'm trying something new. In fact I'm trying several new things. Can't list them all, but one is drinking coffee without sweetener. I like my coffee black and really sweet, but it's all black for now. It's stronger, bolder, and my palette is slowly adjusting to this new taste, but I'm beginning to like it.

Why this change? I'm leaving off sugars and sweeteners and going for a healthier approach.

Oh, and I'm trying something new.

BRRR, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

It is cold in Sunny Florida.

How cold is it?

It is so cold that the "snow birds" didn't stop here.

It is so cold that Starbucks is serving coffee on a stick.

It is so cold that fireplaces in Florida are in vogue.

It is so cold that swimming pools could be turned into ice skating rinks.

It is so cold that I wonder why I moved South?

It is so cold that I've parked my Goldwing with no thoughts of riding right now.

It is so cold that if we had snow that the snowman wouldn't stay outside.

It is so cold that dogs are wearing cats.

It is so cold that grandpa's teeth are chattering....in the glass.

It is so cold that squirrels are throwing themselves against electric fences.

It is so cold that I wonder why in the world they could ever believe in global warming.

It is so cold that pickpockets were sticking their hands in stranger's pockets to keep them warm.I

But it wasn't cold in church on Sunday. The good news is that church was great. There was a warm spirit and hearts were ignited with new passion for God.

Wanda and I are staying inside and trying to get over colds and coughs.

This is Florida and the cold will be over soon.

Yeah!!!

HOW SWEET IT IS !

Alabama won the National College Championship Thursday night against Texas 37-21.

How sweet it is. The Tide Rolled IN! Yeah Alabama! We are # 1.

It was a hard fought game even though Texas got way behind in the first half. but they came back and made it close until the last minutes of the game. Colt McCoy, the Texas outstanding quarterback, got hurt right at the beginning of the game and didn't get to play anymore which really hampered his team.

.

I was impressed with his statements after the game. He still gave God glory even though he didn't get to play. Wow! That was an impressive moment to me.

Alabama rules, but Colt was a winner too.

Can you act like a winner when you lose? Colt did.

I GOT LOST

My Iphone GPS has some wonderful features, but sometimes it is hard to read, follow, or make heads or tails. That happened to me Tuesday morning as I had to get my car to a garage at a downtown location before work.

I looked up the repair shop on the GPS and headed off to drop the car for repairs. Wanda followed me and the next thing I know I'm speeding in heavy traffic up the ramp to I-95 needing to get over into the flow of traffic. That can be a hassle with morning work traffic. Wanda is behind me and does a good job of keeping up.

The next thing I know I'm in the wrong lane and can't change quick enough to get over to the correct lane to get me where I needed to go. Then I get dumped downtown going the wrong way and am trying to figure out how to go the right way with one-way streets all going the wrong way.

Get the picture.

Wanda is patiently following me around downtown as I am turning and turning and giving her the scenic view of some of the older buildings in Jacksonville. Finally, I stopped and called her on her cell.

Patiently, she asked, "Do you know where you're going?"

Apologetically, I weakly and meekly said, "I think so. I just missed my turn off I-95 and I am having a hard time finding my way to the shop."

Finally, after more turns and u-turns I made it to the shop and left the car. As I got into Wanda's car for her to take me to work, she remarked, "Men, they just can't stop for directions."

I sat there guilty.

IS CHRISTMAS OVER?

We're back home and ready to get into the groove for 2010. The Christmas Holidays have been great as we have have five different Christmas celebrations with our family and even more with our church family and friends. Actually, I have one stop yet to make in celebrating Christmas this year and that will be with my parents. That will happen in the next couple of weeks or so. Christmas isn't quite over yet at our house, I guess.

Wanda plans on getting our 11 Christmas trees down in the next couple of days as well as all the Christmas decorations. It will not be looking like Christmas here shortly. I will miss it. This has been a most wonderful Christmas Season.

So what will 2010 hold? God knows and that is why I am taking time to prioritize prayerfully for 2010. What is it that the Lord has for me that is new? What should I change, or add, or stop doing? All those are valid questions in annual goal setting.

My prayer is that His will be done in my life and in my home and in my family. I want His will done and I want to finish 2010 with Him being pleased with my efforts for His cause.

I have encouraged one goal for 2010 for my church family, and that is to do one thing each day that has significance. Of course we can do may things each day that has value, but wouldn't it be great to look back at 2010, if Jesus tarries and He gives us a full year, and then know that we have accomplished 365 significant things? I think that is a noble and worthy goal.

So, what is your primary goal for 2010?

365

A whole new year is before. No mistakes yet, at least that I am aware of making. HA!

I haven't made any New Year resolutions as I will take the first week or so to seek God for His direction for my life in 2010.

It is interesting that sometimes God reveals His way and plan so quickly and easily to me and at other time I have to wait patiently for His guidance. One of the most amazing and one of the biggest decisions in my life was when God brought Wanda into my life. There are literally only a handful of major decisions in my life that have been a clear to me as when God brought her to me.

How do we know God's will for our lives? Here are five steps that I use:

1. What does God's Word say about the matter? If there are no objections to the issue found in His Word, then it is on to step 2.

2. What does the Holy Spirit say about the matter? If the Holy Spirit seems to approve, then go to step 3.

3. What does Godly counsel say? If they can affirm, then look at step 4.

4. Is there an open door and if it does it seem practical? If all goes well here, then step 5 is the clincher.

5. Is there a peace in my heart?

Once these steps have been worked through, then I go for it.

Theses five steps have done we well for all my life. I know God will guide me in 2010 if I will trust Him and let Him be Lord. I am believing that all 365 days of 2010 will count for Jesus.