In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path. ( KJV Proverbs 3:6) 

     “Did you like the story?”  I asked my grandson after I read him “My Daddy is a Super Hero.”  He nodded in approval.  My grandson is enamored by super heroes.  However, I could tell by his reaction, I had tapped into his world.

     My grandson does not have a father who is active in his life.  However, my goal with the book and the series I am creating is to show him that he is not fatherless.  The Bible promises that God will be a father to the fatherless.  I want my grandson to see how special he is to God and how special God wants to be in his life. 

     Any relationship here on earth that falls short of being what it should be does not mean that we are to go without.  God always provides a way to fill that relational need in us.  It does seem easier to think about what you do not have than it is to think about what you do have. However, I believe any lack experienced is because of focus.  

 

     Since Super Heroes’ identities are often kept secret, my story does not address who Daddy may be, but it does focus on what Daddy does.  I want my grandson growing up knowing what a Daddy does so when he has children, he will know how to be a Super Hero Daddy! 

    

 

     “This is It” is what Michael Jackson decided to call his final concert tour.  Instead, because of his death, I sat watching the movie compiled of camera footage of highlights of the tour’s practice taken for Michael’s personal library.  Michael’s passion was evident in the film and some say that passion is what killed him.  Michael needed help to endure what once came naturally and some say he found that help with pain and sleep medication.  Can passion drive someone to destruction?

 

     Passion is a force I find fascinating.  My own passion has often driven me to places of dissatisfaction and discouragement.  My passion links me to a desire for excellence that is unstoppable in me.  However, this passion for excellence can be substituted for a need for perfection, if I allow myself to be persuaded by the thoughts of others.  I believe it is the desire for perfection that leads to destruction.  I believe excellence always uses what is at hand to its maximum capabilities so there is no need for substitutions.

 

     Michael desired to give the fans what they wanted.  It was his desire that his fans hear their favorite songs and he was going to perform them in the most spectacular manner. I admired his attitude and his desire for an original performance. However, it was the film his fans experienced not the concert. 

 

     Michael did get the film he wanted for his library. The film documented the experience Michael desired for his fans and the process it took to get it done. I walked away knowing Michael cared about his music and his fans; I am not so sure a live concert would have made the same impact on me.

 

     This film made me realize the importance of doing what you need to do for yourself; knowing others can still benefit from it in the process. It all starts and ends with the person in the mirror.

      

“You are so good to me!” Everyone should have a friend who knows when to say just what you need to hear.

 

      As I was putting together a slide show to document my friend’s special event, another friend called to tell me she was missing me. Soon, thereafter, another friend called wanting to share what had happened during the day.  The time I spent with each of them, made me realize how important it is to feel connected with one another.

     I believe God wants us to love what He loves. We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord (Galatians 6:10 CEV). 

      It is written, You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand (Galatians 6:2 CEV).

      Jesus clearly defined what the law is to his disciples: Jesus answered, “The most important one says: People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second most important commandment says: Love others as much as you love yourself.  No other commandment is more important than these.” (Mark 12:29-31 emphasis added CEV)

      Remember, God told us to be a blessing! Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God’s chosen ones, and he will bless you. (1 Peter 3:9 CEV)

     Remember, love conquers all! Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good. (Romans 12:21 CEV)

     I believe if we want others to get to know Jesus then we must be like Jesus.  I feel like I’m most like Jesus when I can love by deciding to do only that which is good and beneficial for another.

 

What gets you angry?

 

When do you finally say “that’s enough?”

 

      Injustice is probably what angers me more than anything else.  Especially when people in positions of authority, use that power to pervert justice to serve their own ambitions.  I have seen truth manipulated to serve purposes that rob individuals of their dignity and their self-worth.  I have asked God many times about how to deal with such individuals.

 

     Perhaps you have discovered a way to stand for truth, and diminish the power that seeks to destroy the life of another.  I am still seeking such understanding.  I feel powerless to do anything about it.  Letting go and letting God is the solution I have come up with for my life.

 

     As a widow, God promises me protection against destructive forces in my life.  I want truth, peace and security.  I can find that refuge in the arms of an almighty, sovereign God. 

 

    My anger subsides when I remember everyone reaps what they sow.  Injustices can only last for a season.  When I remember this principle, I ask God to please have mercy on our souls.

 

 

 

 

Can you trust your emotions?

 

What are your emotions telling you?

 

When was the last time you examined your own feelings?

 

     My emotions have often controlled my reactions.  Some of these reactions have resulted in decisions I have later regretted.  I have even been hospitalized because my emotional well being was jeopardized because of an inability to quiet my thoughts enough to sleep or rest.  There was even a time when I blamed my emotional well being on the circumstances surrounding me.  I suppose you can remove yourself from any circumstance but remember you will always take yourself with you wherever you go. 

 

     I had to finally realize my emotional well being was my responsibility.  It was my thinking that was determining my emotions and my feelings were determining my decisions.  When I realized that if I could make emotional decisions that were detrimental to my health and well-being, then I could also make emotional decisions that were healthy and life giving.

 

     Maybe I could trust my feelings to tell me how I was thinking.  I decided I could take my emotions and examine the thoughts which were holding me captive of that feeling.  I discovered thoughts do have a presence and my emotions are responding to that presence.   Good or bad, I am responding emotionally to the presence of my thoughts.  If I want to have feelings of peace, love or joy, then I must dwell on the thoughts that will create that presence in my life. 

 

     Remember God is love. The Presence of the Holy Spirit is quite evident when I recognize the emotions He is generating in me.

 

What kind of dwelling place are your thoughts creating for you?