Mirror . . . Mirror . . .

Mirror mirror on the wall . . .
stop reflecting all my flaws!!!

Whether I like it or not . . .
the mirror does not lie.

So I attempt to improve my appearance . . .
Comb my hair
Cover my facial imperfections with makeup
Wear clothes that “hide” whatever.

But there is a better mirror to look into . . .
the Word of God.

The Word reflects who God says I am.
I may not see it yet in the natural realm,
but it is still true.

Keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law of liberty . . .
and to be doers of the Word . . .

“So make every effort to apply the benefits
of these promises to your life.
Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence.
A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.
Knowing God leads to self-control.
Self-control leads to patient endurance,
and patient endurance leads to godliness.
Godliness leads to love for other Christians,
and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.”
2 Peter 1:5-7 (NLT)

The looking and the doing is up to me.

Choosing to just read the Word
and not do what it says
is like looking into a mirror
and doing nothing to improve my appearance!

I am changed into His image
As I read and act on His Word.

The eyes are the windows
to my soul,
to my heart.
Want to know what is in my heart?

Mirror mirror on the wall
My eyes and face reflect it all
Into which mirror I gaze!

“Just as water mirrors your face,
so your face mirrors your heart.”
Proverbs 27:19 (Message Bible)

Outside a game park west of Mombasa, Kenya, February 2011

OUTBURSTS ! ! !

When you read or hear the word, “outburst," what mental picture forms?

Outburst of anger?
Outburst of violence?
Outburst of tears?

The word “outburst” in and of itself carries a negative connotation. It screams out LOUD and angry! It's like the sound of a balloon popping in a quiet room!

Consider outbursts of love and good deeds . . .

Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) reads, “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.”

What do OUTBURSTS of love look like? OUTBURSTS of good deeds?

Now there’s a challenge!

Always On His Mind

God is thinking about me
and you
this very moment
every moment
wherever we are
whatever is happening
nothing goes unnoticed
I am on His mind
because I am His Child
Loved and chosen by Him . . .

"Long ago, even before he made the world,
God LOVED us and CHOSE us in Christ
to be holy and without fault in His eyes.
His unchanging plan has always been
to adopt us into HIS OWN FAMILY
by bringing us to himself through
Jesus Christ
AND THIS GAVE HIM GREAT PLEASURE!"
Ephesians 1:45 (Emphasis added)