Crossroads Fellowship

So how many of you are stressed about the holidays? Stressed about Christmas? How many of you are trying to figure out how to fit it all in? You have her parents to go to, your parents to go to, friends, other family. Wake up on Christmas morning hurry up and open the presents. Trade thank yous, hugs kisses and pack everyone up so you can rush off to the next house.  Are you completely worn out by the time the day is over? Looking forward to going back to work so things will slow down again?

            I can relate. I used to be that way also. I decided a few years back that I wasn’t going to be like that anymore. I visit with my family often so that I don’t have to try and get it all in at the holidays. This should be a time of fellowship and laughter, enjoying each other’s company. Just simply being together as family and friends.  It’s really not important what day you get together to celebrate. I don’t think that Christ would be very happy with what we have turned Christmas into.

So make a difference this year, stop stressing, relax and simple enjoy being with friends and family. Make some good memories to talk about next year.

            I have to admit to you that I have been slacking lately in my walk with God. I have meant well. I have meant to spend a little time each day reading His word. I have meant to spend time every day in prayer communing with the Father. I have meant to do all of those things, but the truth is I haven’t. My prayer time has been sporadic lately. I have spent almost no time reading His word, although I have been reading the Left Behind books. (That doesn’t count as reading His word by the way) I have just plain and simple been slacking off.

            I could come up with all kinds of excuses as to why I haven’t done these things, but I’m not going to. The only reason that I haven’t done these things is simply because I didn’t make them a priority in my life. It all falls back on me. I have time during the day when I’m not doing anything. That time can be spent reading a little of His word. I can always pray no matter what I’m doing. One positive thing I have done is to get a prayer journal and write down the things and people that I pray for. Then I have been writing when and how God answers those prayers.

            So why am I telling you all this, you may ask. The answer is because this blog is supposed to be about my journey as I follow where God leads me and helps me to grow as a Christian. This is also another area that I have been slacking in. I haven’t posted my blogs on here like I should. I am going to remedy that also.

I prayed tonight that God would place a burning desire for His word in my heart. I don’t want God to just help me to do better; I want Him to place an unquenchable thirst for His word in my heart. I want Him to make it something that I can’t go a single day without.

I apologize to the readers of this blog for not being consistent with my postings. I will probably not be posting something every day but I will be posting on a more regular basis from now on. I would love to hear your thoughts also so please join in the discussion with me and tell me about your journey also. Use the comments section under this and all other blogs to share your thoughts, even if they don’t relate to that particular topic. God gives each of us a different word to share. Please consider this your forum to share also. You don't have to use your name. Just use an initial if you would rather do that.

Psalm 100:1-3 (New International Version)

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

 ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 147:6-8 (New International Version)

As some of you know, I have been without a job for a couple of months again. This time there was no unemployment to fall back on. Needless to say, things got a little bit tight. I was signed up with a couple of temporary agencies. They sent my resume out to  businesses but I never even got an interview out of any of those. To be honest I was getting discouraged. I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me that nobody would even give me an interview. Despair was sneaking up on me. My wife was very understanding through it all. She was praying for me and encouraging me. She said a prayer this morning thanking God for my job, even though I didn't have a lead on a job or anything.

Well today I filled out a couple of applications online and a few  hours after I get a call. One of the temp agencies had a job for me. All I had to do was come in and fill out some more paperwork and then I would be able to start on Monday! Just like that, no interview, just come in and the job is yours. I was ecstatic. I had a job! A few hours later I get another call from the agency I had just signed up for this morning. They had a job for me. Come in and finish up some paperwork and interview. If that wasn't enough, we are eating dinner before going to church tonight and my wife gets a call from one of her friends. The company she works for is going to be hiring for a position that I would be qualified for and she can get me an application and put in a good word for me.

So I go from no job and no prospects to three  jobs that all sound like they are really good jobs. Wow! I am grateful, humbled and a little bit ashamed for letting doubt creep in. God has certainly shown His presence to me. Since God has brought all three of these jobs to me, I'm sure He will show me which one is the right job for me.

Yeah, God gives us what we need exactly when we need it. Thank You Lord!