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Faith Words: Clean

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I washed the car Wednesday. But before I washed it, I washed it. Between the aphids and the birds my car was a mess. Add a few sandstorms and I could barely see out of the windshield.  So I got a bucket of hot soapy water, some rags and my ladder and I scrubbed the front windshield and the rear windshield. The grill was nasty with dead bugs so I put some elbow grease into it and got off the worst of that grime. The car wash machines never get the rear license plate clean either, as well as the lift gate handle and rear camera. There. That’s most of it. Off to the car wash.  There was no line. The equipment seemed to be working well. Two guys used scrub brushes at the entrance and two more wiped the clean car dry at the exit. (Anybody else get panicky trying to line up the left wheel with the track?)  After it was dry, I drove to the vacuum area. Acorns, dry grass and somebody’s gray hair were packed onto the floor mats and carpet. And how does a car get so dusty inside? F...
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Faith Words: Joy

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What brings you joy? A loved one’s smile? The laughter of children? The memory of a special time spent with a friend?  Joy is so important, essential to life. Joy flavors our days and sows the seeds of hope. The Lord knows we need joy, so He supplies lasting joy through His Holy Spirit. Joy is a reflection of God’s love. When His love is growing in our hearts, joy follows. So, again, what brings you joy? Being kind to a stranger? Giving to those in need? Worshipping our Lord? Joy is best enjoyed shared. Secret joy is beautiful but joy shared is magnificent.  Oh, that we will look for ways to share our joy with those around us and watch the joyful ripples as it spreads from one heart to the next, and the next, and the next…. God is where the joy is.  Joyfully, Patrice John‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ‭‭
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Faith Words: Sand

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Tuesday was not a good day to be outside. It’s been a while since the wind blew that hard and with it the sand.   Eastern New Mexico blew into West Texas and West Texas blew into Central and East Texas. I think the sky in Fort Worth had more sand in it than Midland’s did.  In some places, the visibility was so low that roads and highway had to be closed for safety. Trucks were blown over on their sides. People had accidents when they couldn’t see where they were going. It was terrible.  Then came Wednesday. Such a peaceful day. Gentle wind. Clear skies. But the sand reminded us the winds had been here.  My back porch was covered by a thin layer of sand. So was my front porch and my car. I could even feel the grit underfoot when I walked on the kitchen tile floor. I’ll need to sweep again and again to clean up the sand. (Note to self:    replace the weatherstripping around the back door.) The whirlwind that unleashed evil into our world left the gritty resid...
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Faith Words: Pride

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In the movie “Tremors,” an argument breaks out between Burt and Val. Burt’s wife tries to calm her husband down by telling him, “I know.  He thinks he knows everything.”   Sometimes I think I know everything, too.  Pride wells up in me and makes me think more of myself than I should. Actually, I’m pretty much like everyone else. I excel at some things and fail at others. I’m often mediocre at best. I’m reminded how little I do know. My life isn’t supposed to be about me becoming the best I can be. The way I understand it, I’m supposed to die to myself and live as Christ. My desire for notoriety and applause should fade to make room for God’s glory shining in what I do, for me to reflect Jesus in every aspect of my life.  At my age, you’d think I would be fully living like Christ but that’s the overachiever in me. Hopefully, my life is reflecting Jesus more each day but my transformation is ongoing. So I press on, as Paul said. I want to know Christ but more than that...
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Faith Words: Reality

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I dreamed of John last night. When I woke, I reached for him, only to realize it was just a dream. But it seemed so real! My dream life and my awake life both have a semblance of reality.    Yet there is an unseen life that is more real than either.  From the moment I was born again, I entered eternal life with God through the precious blood of Jesus.  My eternal life reality sometimes loses its sharpness as I muddle through my other two realities. That happens when I forget who I am, when the world pushes in too hard, demanding my attention. Still, it’s the real reality.  I died to myself and live eternally as Christ. God continually calls me back through His Spirit living in me to see beyond the temporal. What I do here doesn’t stay here. My life, my choices, my actions have eternal consequences.  When I live as Christ and all that that means,…, well,…that’s really living. In Christ - forever! Patrice ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭19b‬ ‭NIV‬‬ …….take hold of the life...
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Faith Words: Focus

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Sometimes, it’s hard for me to focus. To be honest, it’s more than sometimes.   I sit down to read something and as I read, I realize that instead of paying attention to what I’ve read, I’ve been thinking about my grocery list or something else I need to do and have little to no idea what I’ve been reading.  This happens whether what I’m reading is a novel, a post or the Bible. This happens when I pray, too. And I’m so ashamed. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I keep my focus on the thing in front of me for even two minutes?! I think part of it is me but a large part is our hurried world. So many things screaming for my attention all at the same time and me not being able to shut out the noise and give my undivided attention to whatever is in front of me.  I particularly want to give God my undivided attention when I’m praying, reading or studying His word, or worshiping Him. He deserves that and more.  I’m thankful that He knows me and He knows my world. He understan...
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Faith Words: What’s Next?

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From the beginning, God has pointed us toward what is next. One step leads to another. That step takes us further. One thought leads to another and that takes us in this direction or that.  When God directs our steps, our future is secure - no matter what happens. The Lord doesn’t misdirect us. He has our best interests in mind. And what are our best interests?  His will.  To know His will, we need to know His word, commune with Him, talk to Him. We can walk so closely with Him that our will is completely aligned with His, moving us toward the ultimate goal God has always had planned.  That’s what I want - to be in sync with the Lord and feel Him guiding my every thought, every step. Which step will we take next?   Patrice Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;… ‭
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