This past Sunday night Jane was finishing up an online class and I was taking care of Ashlynn. She was well fed and had plenty of play time. It was 10:30PM and way past her bed time. I rocked her outside on our front porch and she began to drift off to sleep. Then she awoke suddenly and was not content. I brought her inside and laid her down in the bed next to me thinking she would head off to sleep.
She obviously was not thinking what I was thinking! She began to try to pull the pillow she was laying on out from under her. I watched in amusement as she struggled with all her strength to pull the pillow out from under her head.
Too often we are just like Ashlynn concerning life. We try to pull out from under us the very thing that God has placed there for our provision. We fret, we agonize, we complain, we struggle and all the while God is waiting for us to relax into Him. He is waiting for us to receive the blessings He has provided. He is longing for us to trust in His goodness.
The choice is ours: Will we seek to fight against what God has provided for us or will we embrace in full trust His provision?
If you were really honest with yourself, God has taken good care of you as His child. Have you fought Him? Have you been unsatisfied with your life? Or have you embraced His goodness? Have you thanked God for your life?
Ashlynn finally went to sleep. May we too finally embrace the goodness of God no matter what our circumstances say!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
God and Squirrels?
On Monday of this past week I made my normal journey through the Worship Center straightening things up from Sunday. As I began to walk back to my office, I noticed a squirrel sitting on the outside window ledge at the back of the Worship Center.
I watched in fascination as this little creature meticulously ate the nut in its hands. Each movement was precise and intentional. Its paws firmly handled the nut while its teeth quickly took bite upon bite until the nut was gone. It then quickly made its way off the window ledge and across the sidewalk into a bush. My fun was over so I headed back to my office.
So what does this have to do with God you might ask? Everything. As I watched that little squirrel, I was reminded of God’s creation. He designed that little squirrel. He made it to move with quick and agile speed. He made its paws to be able to handle nuts of all sizes. He made its bushy tail. He made its beady little eyes. He made its sharp little teeth. He is the creator God.
The simplicity and innocence of nature is filled with the wonder and purity of God’s creativity. God made life with all its uniqueness and variety. He designed squirrels and He designed you and me. Now that is not to say that squirrels are equal to humans - not at all. Humanity was and still is God’s crowning work of creation. Psalm 8:6-8 speaks of humanities dominance in creation by saying, “You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all the swim the paths of the seas.”
So the next time you see a bird, an animal, a fish, or any of God’s wonderful creation, take some time to thank Him for His creativity - take some time to thank Him for making you uniquely you!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
I watched in fascination as this little creature meticulously ate the nut in its hands. Each movement was precise and intentional. Its paws firmly handled the nut while its teeth quickly took bite upon bite until the nut was gone. It then quickly made its way off the window ledge and across the sidewalk into a bush. My fun was over so I headed back to my office.
So what does this have to do with God you might ask? Everything. As I watched that little squirrel, I was reminded of God’s creation. He designed that little squirrel. He made it to move with quick and agile speed. He made its paws to be able to handle nuts of all sizes. He made its bushy tail. He made its beady little eyes. He made its sharp little teeth. He is the creator God.
The simplicity and innocence of nature is filled with the wonder and purity of God’s creativity. God made life with all its uniqueness and variety. He designed squirrels and He designed you and me. Now that is not to say that squirrels are equal to humans - not at all. Humanity was and still is God’s crowning work of creation. Psalm 8:6-8 speaks of humanities dominance in creation by saying, “You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all the swim the paths of the seas.”
So the next time you see a bird, an animal, a fish, or any of God’s wonderful creation, take some time to thank Him for His creativity - take some time to thank Him for making you uniquely you!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Inside the Boundaries
In the beginning, life was incredible and dramatic. The first book of the Bible, Genesis tells us the account of our origin. Recently Pastor Ed Young, Jr. from Fellowship Church in Texas had this to say about the first humans...
“Adam and Eve had it all: a beautiful home, endless food and a great relationship with God. They had all of this with just one rule. For their protection, God commanded them to stay away from a certain tree. Paradise was theirs and they had God’s protection as long as they submitted to God’s authority.
But then Satan entered the picture in the form of a snake. Eve knew it was wrong to eat the fruit. But as the serpent talked, she started to look at things differently. She bought into the serpent’s lies and she began to desire the power he promised her.
The results were devastating. The life she had with Adam was destroyed. And when they stepped out from under God’s umbrella of authority, they also lost God’s protection.
Eve’s deception and rebellion started with her conversation with the serpent. And the same thing is true of us. We know what God desires for us, but we start listening to the subtle voice of the world or the wrong "friends." And as we begin to justify our desires, we’re led further away from God’s truth.
We all struggle with temptation. And there are many things that at first seem enticing to our eyes. But instead, make sure God is the one who you choose to delight in. Because when you’re under His truthful guidance, you’re also under His authority and protection. And when you’re properly placed in God’s chain of command, no one will be able to lead you astray.”
Life lived under God’s control is beautiful and abundant. Life lived outside of God’s boundaries for us is anything but beautiful and abundant. The next time you face temptation, remember that you belong to God and are covered by Him!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
“Adam and Eve had it all: a beautiful home, endless food and a great relationship with God. They had all of this with just one rule. For their protection, God commanded them to stay away from a certain tree. Paradise was theirs and they had God’s protection as long as they submitted to God’s authority.
But then Satan entered the picture in the form of a snake. Eve knew it was wrong to eat the fruit. But as the serpent talked, she started to look at things differently. She bought into the serpent’s lies and she began to desire the power he promised her.
The results were devastating. The life she had with Adam was destroyed. And when they stepped out from under God’s umbrella of authority, they also lost God’s protection.
Eve’s deception and rebellion started with her conversation with the serpent. And the same thing is true of us. We know what God desires for us, but we start listening to the subtle voice of the world or the wrong "friends." And as we begin to justify our desires, we’re led further away from God’s truth.
We all struggle with temptation. And there are many things that at first seem enticing to our eyes. But instead, make sure God is the one who you choose to delight in. Because when you’re under His truthful guidance, you’re also under His authority and protection. And when you’re properly placed in God’s chain of command, no one will be able to lead you astray.”
Life lived under God’s control is beautiful and abundant. Life lived outside of God’s boundaries for us is anything but beautiful and abundant. The next time you face temptation, remember that you belong to God and are covered by Him!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
To Praise or Not to Praise?
To praise or not to praise? That is the question of the hour. Read the following ancient and yet timely words to discover the answer...
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected...She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise...(taken from parts of Proverbs 31).
Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms - your life, dedication to the Lord, and faithful work bring you much deserved praise!
Thankful,
Jeff Powell
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected...She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise...(taken from parts of Proverbs 31).
Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms - your life, dedication to the Lord, and faithful work bring you much deserved praise!
Thankful,
Jeff Powell
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