Sometimes life comes at you fast someone said.  I agree.  There are times in our lives when it appears that everything is coming unglued, when bad news follows bad news and we’re uncertain about way too many things.

What you and I choose to do in those moments is crucial in whether we bounce back, decline or waste a bunch of time (that thing we can’t get back).  So, I would like to offer a few suggestions that help me when these moments come.

• Get alone with God.  I can’t keep myself encircled with chaos and confusion and expect to think clearly.
• Step away.  I’ve got to disconnect from the situation and catch a break.
• Take in inspiration.  Whatever feeds your soul – get around it.  It may be music, exercise, prayer, meditation, preaching, worship, reading, but whatever it is – do it.
• Talk with others.  Not just any others, but the ones who not only have your best interest at heart and are willing to speak truth in love.  You need it.
• Get outside.  I can’t help but feel how big God is when I step into the glory of His creation. The heavens declare God’s glory and I need that reminder.
• Sleep & rest.  When I’m tired and worn out, that is not the time to make decisions. I need to rest my body to refresh my soul and mind. Everything feels darker when I’m tired.

Maybe try some or all of these things if you’re in a season of loss and one thing keeps piling on another.  One thing you never do – quit!

Here’s some things I think about at Easter:

• EGGS – Growing up I have fond memories of picking out an egg coloring kit and coming home, my mom boiling eggs, then us dipping them in bright colors.  Then, of course, these would be hidden and there was the adventure of finding them.  Sometimes mom would forget where they all were.
• BASKET – I loved getting up on Easter to find a colorful, neatly wrapped Easter basket filled with some of my favorite candies.  How did the Easter Bunny know what I liked??
• OUTFIT – Each Easter season my mom would take me shopping for a new outfit to where on this special day.  I grew up in a church where everyone would deck out as much as possible.  Not quite sure why, but it sure helped out the local economy.  My dad would generally buy a new suit as well, or at least a new shirt and tie.

All of these are great family memories, but mostly this is what I think of when I think of Easter:

• THE PRICE – What Jesus went through in the final days leading up and including His crucifixion is beyond what I can imagine.  Google Roman crucifixions and get ready to be horrified by the barbaric death penalty of these ancient times.  These acts make modern day ISIS killers look tame.
• THE VICTORY – Jesus rising from the dead in such a dramatic fashion that the Roman soldiers, the religious leaders and His followers were convinced He was alive. Paul later tells us that he appeared to over 500 people at a time during His 40 days on earth after the resurrection.  His victory over death now gives me victory in life and death!

I love my childhood memories, but the greatest of them all, is being raised in a home that let me know Jesus is alive!

If you live in the Avon, IN area, please join us in a powerful weekend celebration of Easter @ CrossroadsAvon.com:

SATURDAY, March 26 – 10-Noon  Easter Egg Drop & Festival.  Thousands of eggs will drop from a helicopter on the church soccer fields to the thrill of kids. Bounce houses, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny will also take place.

SUNDAY, March 27 – Two services @ 9 & 10:45 a.m.  Topic: Who Is Jesus? Join us as we sing, celebrate and communicate the wonders of the resurrection.  Full nursery and fun kids programs will coincide.

Last weekend, during my introduction, I mentioned reading several books on my recent break and that one of them focused on change.  I thought I would take some time to unpack some of the thoughts from Change Anything.

One of the initial factors identified, concerned itself with interrupting your impulses by connecting with your goals during crucial moments.  Another way that I have talked about this is “pre-deciding” before the time you have to decide.  In other words, before you get in backseat of the car with him, before you pull out your credit card, before you order your food, you decide ahead what you will do.

You say to yourself, “When it comes time to order, I won’t get what sounds good, I’ll order what’s healthiest.”  Now, this doesn’t mean there won’t be a struggle and challenge to do the right thing, but it does give you extra strength going into the situation because you have an inner resolve.

Growing up in church we used to sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”  It was like we were saying, “I am not going to turn around now matter what comes my way.”  So, whether you sing it, speak it, spray it, play it, or display it, be sure to decide ahead what results you want.

I have decided some things about today, I will move forward in faith, grow in my knowledge, stay pure, live a healthy lifestyle and serve my Jesus!  I’m ready for a great day, how about you?

I just heard someone the other day mention that “50% of time is wasted or spent on personal issues at work.”  I couldn’t believe it!  So, I had to do some research myself to see if they were correct.  Well, here’s what I discovered, the number of people who now admit to wasting time at work every day has reached a whopping 89%.  Seriously?  Employees are spending longer periods than ever before wasting time.

Here’s the problem with that, Scripture tells us of the value of time and not to waste it, but instead redeem the time (Eph. 5:16).  And, “whatever  you do” we are to “do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).  How is wasting time at work bringing glory to God?

Not only are we cheating our employer and getting paid for goofing off or doing personal stuff, but also we are cheating ourselves out of performing with excellence and giving a poor testimony of a believer.

So, quit reading my blog, and get back to work! 🙂