This past week I had the opportunity to share part of my testimony with a couple of young friends. I was indirectly asked, "How did you come to know the Lord?" and "How have you grown in your walk with Him?".I explained that although I have been a Christian as long as I can remember, God used His word and His ways to chase me down with His love in a deeper way in my mid-twenties. At that time I was wrestling with a lot of things that kept me disgruntled and discontent: my husband was an orthopedic resident pushing hours that are now no longer legal in the medical world; I had two toddlers, but also experienced two miscarriages; we had no money; and personally, I was dealing with a shattered dream of the recent past, and another rock-my-world present trial. Quite frankly, I was depressed, and the "woe is me" mentality ruled my life.But somewhere during that time God sent a faithful friend along my path; after my friend had walked life with me for a while and quietly listened to my woes, she then tenderly spoke timely words that penetrated my wounded heart. She simply said, "Chris, do you know that you can choose joy?". My initial reaction was, "Are you kidding me? Do you not see all this calamity going on in and around me! I deserve to be unhappy!" (skewed thinking!). But in my soul, I knew that she spoke truth. I am thankful to say that these words were the beginning of a life changing perspective for me; now over two decades later, no matter the circumstance, I remind myself, "Chris, you can choose joy". Over the years of putting this not-so-easy decision into practice, I've learned how to get-to-joy faster.The first thing is not to complain or grumble. If I'm in the midst of a trial, it's not a surprise to God; it is actually in this selected place that He has called me so that I can depend on Him in a deeper way. He will show up. But I must choose not to quench His spirit with my disgruntled or disbelieving heart. Having this attitude kills joy. God tells me to do all things without grumbling or disputing (Phil. 2:14). The second thing is to be thankful. Replace the "Woe is me!" with "Wow is the Lord!". Sometimes I just say thank You, thank You, thank You, thank You, over and over and over again, just so I won't focus on my seemingly negative situation. Thank Him for whatever comes to mind concerning who He is (merciful, compassionate, powerful, good, wise…) and you will be busy all day long with thankfulness growing in your heart. Having this attitude births joy. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night (Psalm 92:1).I am forever grateful for my friend of the past that challenged me to choose joy. And I am praying that my young friends will likewise, choose joy today--not sadness, nor even happiness, but the joy that is found only in Christ. It's a decision that requires determination and perseverance through His abiding spirit. Jesus is joy. Choose Him.Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Let's face it, we live in a me first culture. On one hand, it's quite a natural response: we feed ourselves when we're hungry, we shower when we're dirty, we sleep when we're tired… we just do things for ourselves.But the me first mentality can grow dangerously beyond this instinctive disposition. It's the push and shove to be the best, it's the looking out for your own personal gain, or the lifestyle of "I'm gonna do what I wanna do in spite of how it affects others" that can cause strife to so many. And when there is a multitude of me-firsters in the same place, all going at life with their own selfish vigor, it can be a social war zone, in marriages, in families, and in the workplace.So how do we combat the seductive monster of SELF CENTERED LIVING?Jesus.He did things differently.…He first loved us. I John 4:19When Jesus came to earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords didn't flaunt His power over the weak. The unblemished Holy One didn't trample underfoot the lowly. The all Wise and Knowing One didn't shame the ignorant. No, He first… loved us.And what was the depth of His love?But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8There is no greater sacrifice from a no greater God-Man towards a no greater company of me firsters.Without question, it is God's will for you to be the absolute best you can be in the area of gifting in which He has blessed you. But at the same time, put your agenda down (or the agenda you have for your spouse, or for your children); don't climb another rung of the culture's egocentric ladder. Instead, stop and look around. Someone may need the Jesus that lives in you. Do what He did; He first loved.Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:3-5I am convinced, embracing the He first mindset will change the direction of your life, for the better.

I'm sure all are familiar with the term "3D" when it comes to watching a movie. Well, I would like to propose the term "3Be" when it comes to living your life. Let me explain:Be Still-- God implores each of us, Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10The flip side of this verse implies that when we're not still, we lose sight of God. This simple verse calls us to not just slow down, but to stop. Stop the spin…stop the RAT race (properly termed), and simply take time to meditate on God. When doing so, we come away knowing Him. As a result, our perspective changes. Instead of focusing on our big problems and frantically asking a "small" God to help, we gaze upon on a huge GOD, peacefully knowing that He can take care of all our needs.One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4Being still and gazing on the Lord is NOT a waste of time; it's a blessing...Be Loved-- When we are still before the Lord, we can live up to our given name, be-loved. See the connection of being still and being loved in these passages:Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it… It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to His beloved even in his sleep. Ps 127:1-2The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between His shoulders. Duet. 33:12Remember true life begins with Him loving you, not you loving Him (see I John 4:19). Rest in this truth, beloved, so you can...Be Thankful-- When we learn to be still, and to be loved, then our hearts can do nothing but be thankful! After meditating on who HE IS, and HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US, a heart of gratitude sincerely and abundantly develops:I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Ps 69:30Give thanks always in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thess. 5:18So dear friends, if you're spinning, stop; if you're in the rat race, make every effort to get out. Learn to live your daily life in Three Be: be still, be loved, and be thankful. You will not regret it! Because He promises, anyone who trusts in Him will never be disappointed. Rom. 10:11

I have recently come across two different bible verses that use the same word.One verse is rather familiar to us as believers. It says,Cease striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10The other verse is penned by Paul, whose ambition in life was to know Christ, and to make Him known. He says,I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me. Col. 1:29When looking at these two scriptures, one says not to strive, and the other talks about how it's "right" to strive. How can this be? I beleive it has to do with the motive of our hearts. We must each answer this question honestly:What am I striving for?....for more money, more power, more prestige, more success in this world? If so, SELF is at the center of my motives. If this is the case, an inner dissatifsfaction will restlessly reside at the core of my heart. I must choose to hear the Lord say: Cease striving and know that I am God.....or am I striving to know Him and make Him known in my family, in my workplace, and in the positions God has placed me in for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). If this is the case, I can expect His strength to work powerfully in me! Jesus puts it like this, No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24).So I ask myself daily, am I striving... or am I striving?Dear Lord Jesus, May You be at the core of my heart. Check my motives, clean me out, and fill me up. Make me content in the positions You have put me in. Help me not to strive for more, more, more. May my labor TODAY not be about climbing any man-made ladder, but about humbling walking with You...towards others. Use me up, O God, for Your glory. Thank You for entrusting me with Your powerful strength...for such a time as this. Amen.

We live in a day and age where the phone is always at hand; it is literally attached to us. It has the amazing ability to "speak" to us through text, facebook, snapchat, instagram, twitter, etc. (Oh yea, sometimes we actually talk to someone on it.) Does it ever stop?! I was telling a young teenage friend of mine that if not careful, this gadget can take the place of God's Word in dictating our thoughts, emotions, and actions.When comparing the phone and the bible, here are some questions to answer:1. Which one is full of complete truth? Which one sometimes holds half-truths and mixed messages?2. Which one will NEVER fail you, and brings great peace to your heart? Which one sometimes lets you down, and creates confusion, jealousy, or even anger?3. Which one makes you both secure and mature in who you are and how God made you? Which one sometimes causes you to question yourself and how your are wired?4. If you were asked to put one of these objects down for a couple of days, which one would make you feel anxious to let go of?I challenged my young friend to answer these questions honestly, and then to put up boundaries where needed in this high tech world. Realize, the bible is God's communication "gadget" and His words are full of hope and truth:The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25May His word be your lifeline...always at hand, and literally attached to you.

I am a visual learner, so whenever the Lord plants a picture in my brain, I quickly get out my notebook and put it on paper. Recently, God showed me a picture that spoke of His character amidst my circustances. This simple drawing is a not a new spirtual concept--it's more of a foundational reminder to you and me as believers:

God is good, faithful, love, all-knowing... and He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He NEVER changes. However, my circumstances, can fluctuate quite dramatically. At times, I'm a virtual internal, and sometimes external, roller coaster.

A minor example: I am at the beach with only my husband, which is very, very good. The first morning we woke up to the sound of the waves, the white sand, the warm sunshine... again very, very good. Who would doubt God at a time like this? The second morning however, I woke up to the same beach, in the same cozy condo, with the same sun, but within minutes of this spectacular view, I was experiencing a penetrating migraine that blurred my vision and made me nauseous... not good at all.

At times like this, I must remember the concept that God never changes. He is just as good, faithful, loving, and all-knowing in the lows of my days, weeks, months, and even seasons of my life as He is in the highs.

It's so easy to praise Him in the "feel good" stuff, isn't it? We find ourselves on the mountain top, singing "hallelujahs" and "thank You's" at the top of our lungs! But in the lows, it must become what God might call the "faith good" stuff. When we're in the pit spiritually, physically, or circumstantially, can we still sing praises concerning His unchanging character? Do we believe Him during these times? Can we say, like Job did, after he was struck with peril on all sides, The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21).

I have come to find out that in the "faith good" stuff of my life, the deep stuff, God Himself becomes more evident, and I begin to understand more of Him... and HE is very, very good...in spite of anything I might experience.

Trust Him, my friend, in the highs and in the lows of this life. Praise Him when His goodness is beautiful and obvious, and praise Him when your vision is painful and blurred. May His unchanging character be the unshakeable bedrock of your faith.