Gustav

I have family and friends in Southwest Louisiana -- with the impending threat of another major hurricane, my thoughts and prayers go out to all.

Courage

This is a small sidebar note--

It takes courage to change

Not simply wanting to, or knowing that I have to -- but to actually wake up and decide to change something in my life.

Why? Why is doing something better hard for us? Fear, of failure, of others thoughts .......for me it is fear.

I am afraid of failure.
Failure: omission of occurrence or performance; specifically : a failing to perform a duty or expected action <failure to pay the rent on time>

Of failing exactly whom? Myself? My expectations? My family? (So far these are superbly self-centered, and shows a trace of pride) Of failing God? Well, we have all failed Him, yet by Grace we are restored......so that brings me back to dealing with my pride. This seemingly insignificant mental mind set has hindered me. Pride has caused me to not do far more than what I have actually done.

I have heard it stated that our greatest enemy is our self. Today I find that very true. In reading the scripture posted, I have to keep in mind that my Trust and Faith in God has to be stronger than my fear of failure. It has to be stronger than all else in my life. And when I nurture that Trust, then I can say as David:

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Money

I am working on two different areas in my life right now. One area is this - the other is finances. The proverbial light bulb just went off inside my head earlier. These two categories are very closely linked.

In reading in Proverbs 31:16, I found this nugget:

She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

This woman dealt in finances. Real estate to be exact. She is making money for her home, from her home. I guess the Good Lord is nudging me in this direction for a reason.

I will have to do some praying and studying in this area as I do not know much. This should be exciting.

Eating an Elephant

As I read the Scriptures, I realize how far I am from what I should be -- and I am thankful for Grace.

I also must come to an understanding that what has taken years to do, habits that have been carved in stone, cannot be undone in one day.

So, today, I start eating an elephant, one bite at a time. I am living in the Grace that has been allotted for me today. For I am accountable for today. I will not look at the negative, I will focus on the Lord, and His view of what I am. And through this Amazing Grace, my life will become, little by little, what He would have it to become.

A Beginning

Everything has a beginning. It must begin with a single step. So with Faith I begin, knowing that this journey won't have a traditional ending. This journey will be a gift that I give myself and my family. A gift that will continue to open and reveal itself daily.

You are most welcome to join me as I explore what God has in store for me. And my earnest prayer is that if you do join me, you will receive this wonderful gift also.

The journey begins with a single step. This step for me is acknowledging that I cannot become anything of worth on my own. I acknowledge and accept help from my Father, who has wonderful things in store for me.