Category: DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

What I’m Learning from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Giving (1)

As you know we are in uncertain times with the corona virus ( COVID-19) pandemic that is happening around the globe.  I’ve watched the news reports, watched the shelves empty as people shop for basic needs, and watched how we all have become more aware of our hygiene and are cleaning responsibly.  This time of pandemic has grabbed our attention, changed our focus to mini retreats of being at home with one another.  It has brought a whole new meaning for me to the staycation, the stay at home, the telecommute, and the overall virtual experience.  I’m learning the real value of quiet time and solitude, but even more the value of gratitude.  I’m learning to pull over, turn off, be still and listen to God speak.  I’m learning to dial in, plug in, connect and reach out in various communication forms.  My takeaways are becoming giveaways.  I’ve lost some things materially but I’ve gained much more spiritually.   Maybe God has to take away our jobs and the stress, in order for us to give away words of comfort, encouragement and hope to others.  Maybe God has to take away our consumption of time spent focusing on mindless activities in order for us to be more mindful of Him and who He is.  I’m learning God is still in control of my life and I don’t have to quarantine the gospel.  I’m learning to just share it.  I may have to stay at home but the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to. The  messages of  hope found only in Christ Jesus have the power to overcome anxiety, hopelessness, panic and fear.   Here are a few scriptures to help us meditate on and share with others. (John 3:16, Romans 8:28-31,  Luke 12:22-24)

 

 

 

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Lessons I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that it is ok to feel the pressure but it’s not ok to pressure myself. You know that feeling of wanting to get it right, get it all done, and get it all together can be overwhelming. Taking on more than we need to can be a way of putting pressure on ourselves. I’m here to tell you, that you don’t have to add anything more to life’s daily to-do list. You can pace yourself through it. By pacing, I mean sometimes things will go quick and sometimes they move slower. Everything you do doesn’t have to be a sprint, a fast-action drama, a fast forward or a speed race. Clocks will keep on ticking no matter what, so think of your pace before pressuring yourself to do more than you can handle. Now that’s what I call living on pitch! What are you pressuring yourself to do or accomplish? How will you pace yourself today?

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Study Habits

Do you have good study habits? Do you know where you get them from? Sometimes learning from other people requires spending time with them and watching how they act and react. I’ve learned a lot from watching my parents do different things. I’ve been in their classroom a long time. I discovered learning and developing good bible study habits requires spending time in the Bible. I’m learning more to watch how I act and react as I spend time in God’s word. Watch and learn, now that’s what I call Living on Pitch.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Why Giving Up Is Not An Option

It’s the beginning of a new year, wait it’s a whole new decade has begun and most of us are focusing on making some sort of lifestyle change. This is the time where we tend to focus more on our health, wealth, mental, and spiritual well being. I want to tell you that giving up is not an option because of what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. I love this passage and it is one of my favorites. Here are a couple of reasons why you can’t give up no matter what you are going through.

1. Your inside is becoming better than your outside. Internally God is at work. That peace you have in the midst of a storm, That’s God. That unexplainable sense of calm, that’s God. That choice to let it go rather than argue and make a big deal out of nothing, that’s God at work in you. God intentionally works on us from the inside out. He is gIving you strength, courage, hope, faith, love, peace and wisdom to make it through every day.

2. Your ability to see matters. How you look at your situation matters. You may not be able to see things clearly or right away but clarity comes by focusing on God and eternity. Maybe your future is looking brighter because you had that financial setback, that car problem or lost a job. You may lose a few material things on earth to win the eternal rewards waiting for you in heaven. Don’t lose sight of knowing that nothing on earth compares to having eternal life in Christ. You are victorious, and you win when you see how God prepares for you to be with Him forever.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%204:16-18&version=ESV

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS prayer

Written Prayers

img_1193Happy New Year from Living on Pitch!  If you are reading this I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2020 New Year.

I haven’t written much last year on the blog and I’d like to write more this year.  I  like to write things down and as I get older, I need to write things down so I don’t forget.  I noticed I don’t write down a lot of prayers even with a prayer journal by my bedside.  I can make a list which is often easier to do as far as putting names on a list, writing out things to do, places to go, etc.  Writing out a shopping list, thinking over my bucket list,  and creating new things for my vision board seems much simpler that writing down a  prayer.  I am determined and encouraged though to do the things that aren’t the most convenient for me this year.  I am encouraged to write down more prayers.   I believe written prayers can be just as good as my silent or spoken prayers.  How does writing out prayers sound to you? Written prayers might help you stay focused on spending more time with God and written prayers can be read over again throughout your day to day activities.  Will you give it a try?  See if the power of prayer and the power of the pen  help you win today!

I want to offer a prayer for you today.  I  pray God blessings on your life.  I pray for your goals, dreams and heart’s desires.  I pray for focus, vision, wisdom and grace to cover you all year long.  May God’s  peace reign over you  in whatever comes your way this year.  I pray for the challenges that will change you, the things that are not seen but on their way to make you better, bolder, and build your faith in God.  May the ups and the downs cause you to be strong in the Lord.  I pray for lessons learned in both the wins and the losses.  I pray for good evenings and good mornings with God.  I pray for a new year filled with memories, laughs, and most of all love.  Amen.

 

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Music To My Ears

Throughout the book of Psalms there are many references to singing, dancing and shouting. In chapter 33 there are several commands listed to shout for joy, give thanks to the Lord, make melody, play skillfully and sing. This passage reminds me that God is the Creator, the designer and maker of all things including music. God’s love commands us not only to hope in Him but also to express that hope in a way that others can see and hear. It’s audible, loud and expressive. It’s good to know the heavens and earth also acknowledge the steadfast love of God. Waters and seas follow His commands and the breath of God is so powerful it causes all the earth to fear Him. God is not an out of sight, out of mind kind of God. There is no need to wonder about tracking His location. To put focus on a position is pointless. To the readers of this Psalm all that really matters is knowing God sees us, hears us, delivers and keeps us. This passage clearly tells us He looks down from heaven, He looks out and observes our deeds. We can hope in God and openly express it all because of God’s steadfast love. That is good news and what I call music to my ears.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Work in Progress

I know it’s not all about me when it comes to God’s program or plan. God doesn’t need me to accomplish His plan and even though it’s not about me I still need to work on me.

Praying for wisdom to do better, change and grow for the glory of God.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

It’s Gettin Heated

Sometimes my coworker friends and I live on the edge at work. When things aren’t right we may get to snapping back at each other, honking the car horn at folks during our lunch ride to our favorite restaurant or negatively putting in our 2 cents on a hot topic subject of management, changes or policy. Sometime it feels good enough just to get it off our chest and tell the person who upset us exactly how we feel.  Other times it doesn’t feel that good. There’s nothing wrong with being direct and honest with others but I have learned two words for when we are easily offended and take things to personally.  Those words are simply this:  SLOW DOWN.  In order to live on pitch we must not be so quick to take offense.  It takes practice, but my friends and I are learning and pushing each other by asking the question out loud who or what are we attacking? When we slow down we are able to ask more important questions like how can we react without attacking? We can learn to slow down by not pretending or defending with harsh words, eye rolls and side eyes. A gentle reminder goes a long way. I thank God for those friends and co workers who help me strive to live on pitch. Work life can knock us off our feet and catch us off guard but God is our Helper. What are some warning signs that show up when you’re offended by others?

 

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Minutes vs. Hours

Have you ever said  or thought there’s just not enough hours in the day?  I’ll admit I  thought that many times.  I’m learning to work through these things called minutes though.  Managing the minutes of my day is no easy task.  Early this year my church challenged me to read the Bible for 15 minutes a day. They meant everyday too.  I love my church  and the annual focal points each year.  We are reading through the New Testament together this year.  Well, I accepted the challenge and in my mind I thought immediately ok, I can do that.  Sounds easy enough.  I started to read, marked the time off my calendar and set a reminder. That was earlier this year, it’s now September and the  15 minutes a day challenge has me feeling like I didn’t get the memo. I have a confession to make.  I haven’t consistently used my 15  minutes a day to read through the Bible.   I don’t always complete the challenges I accept. I’m  a work in progress and  I really want to do better.  The time is still marked on my calendar.  I still read the Bible, but not for 15 minutes a day with intention.  The reality I face and most of us face is being intentional about using our time.  Mentally blocking out the time to meditate on God’s word is one of the hardest, but most rewarding and fulfilling things we could ever do.  I saw a TV commercial speaking of how 15 minutes could save a person 15% on their insurance.  Most of us have heard talk of  someone getting their 15 minutes of fame.   What’s so special about 15 minutes with God?   I don’t know for sure but I believe forming a habit of  daily bible intake is more than likely better than saving on insurance, or becoming famous for a short time period.    This is not the same thing as tracking progress in an app everyday, drinking 8 glasses of water, or or waiting over 10  minutes for a table at your favorite restaurant.  It’s about showing up, even it it’s just for 1 minute.  I keep telling myself if you can listen to audiobooks for hours, chat on the phone with your friends for hours and watch your favorite tv shows for hours of entertainment then surely you can take a minute or two, maybe even 15 minutes to listen to God, chat with Him and watch Him work things out in your life.  I hope to continue forming the habit of reading the Bible with intention and anticipation.   How do you intentionally use your time?

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS Uncategorized

Weekend Word

LOP-AttheCrossWell it’s Friday, Good Friday in fact.  Spring break is here and we are preparing for Sunday church services, shopping and getting ready for our family brunch gathering.  We are ready to take lots of pictures and remember the good news of the gospel message.  Jesus died on the cross just for you and me.  We have victory in a Risen Savior.  That’s a good word for us all no matter how you choose to celebrate the Resurrection.

Happy Easter and keep living on pitch.