Recirculate

You never know where you might find inspiration. Sometimes, it appears on a valve control.

Huh?

This morning, I was adding the final round of chemicals to the pool for the year. The directions indicated the importance of making sure those chemicals were distributed throughout the entire pool, for maximum effectiveness in keeping algae and other undesired material from settling in during the winter months.

All of this is fine and good…except when it’s not getting distributed. That was my dilemma, as the filter did not want to kick in.

Turns out, there’s a feature on the valve control called “Recirculate”. Basically, it bypasses the filter and just shoots the water back into the pool, moving it all around and, in this case, making sure those important chemicals would get distributed.

It got me thinking…recirculate. To circulate something by definition means to move or cause to move continuously or freely through a closed system or area. To recirculate is to circulate continuously.

I don’t know about you, but there are some things I need to start making sure to circulate and then recirculate inside me, more often. God’s truth and equally, His grace. The eternal hope we have in Jesus – no matter what life brings our way. Positive self-talk and thoughts. You know, good stuff.

Problem is, the things I tend to have circulating in my mind aren’t always good. I get bogged down with yuck so easily. It’s been too easy for me to forget He has a good plan for my life.

The things circulating – moving continuously or freely through our minds – can be detrimental to us. Negative thoughts circulating continuously will only take us away from the destiny God has for us and the peace we can have during this life, even when the challenges are many.

It’s time to grab onto the hope which can make me glad at all times, and recirculate it until it is all that is flowing inside of me. But, why stop there?

Circulate also means pass or cause to pass from place to place or person to person. I want to share hope with everyone, pass it from place to place. Admittedly, it’s been a little while; some chapters of life are more difficult than others. But, God is still good, through it all.

I’m going to hit the “recirculate” button on hope, joy, peace, and everything good He wants inside me. We’ll see what happens next.

Have a great day.

Faith vs. Feelings

‘You can feel 1,000 ways in 30 days about the same thing.’
-Joyce Meyer

So true.

Are you giving your feelings more power than they should have? Are you basing the choices you make on feelings? Do you feel overwhelmed or trapped by your feelings?

If you are, I have some news for you. You’re not alone. Been there, done that.

Problem is, living our lives according to our feelings is a risky and often potentially harmful course to set. Feelings are so fickle. The quote above illustrates that. They are, as the language reads in many event schedules, ‘subject to change’ and chances are they will prove to be misleading in the process.

Yet, we give so much credit to our feelings. It’s so easy to let feelings lead the way. But, let me suggest something else. Base the decisions you make for your life on the truths contained in this book, and…

…let faith guide you through the maze that is life here on Earth.

You will still experience difficulties. Things will still go wrong. Stuff will still happen that won’t make sense. You may still get hurt. You won’t get everything you want. Life won’t magically become perfect.

But, what will happen is you’ll find a sense of peace you’ve never known before toward the circumstances of your life. Those hard times may still come, but you’ll have the strength to face them and do so in a way you never thought possible.

You’ll still have your feelings and emotions, but you won’t be basing your life on what they tell you to do. You’ll be living by faith, not feelings.

If you never have before, I encourage you to open up this wonderful book sometime. If it’s been a while, let me encourage you to get back into it. There is so much truth in there.

Have a great day.

1 Peter 1
⁵You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do. ⁶On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while. ⁷Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns. ⁸You have never seen Jesus, and you don’t see him now. But still you love him and have faith in him, and no words can tell how glad and happy ⁹you are to be saved. That’s why you have faith.

A Better Destination

So much truth in this one!

Have a great day, friends.

Take Heart

The events of the past week have been difficult to comprehend at times. It is hard to see so much pain and suffering.

However, nothing that has happened changes this fact: God is always in control, no matter what.

So, here is a challenge to anyone who believes that today. Be a warrior for God! Be bold and don’t be afraid to speak out on His behalf.

The world needs more love, more grace, and more truth. Don’t hold back from spreading God’s message. He will give you the strength to do it…just ask.

Anyone can help change this world for the better. Why not you?

Blessings to all of you today, and every day.

The Rock Won’t Move

‘When the ground beneath my feet gives way and I hear the sound of crashing waves, and all my world is washing out to sea.
I’m hidden safe in the God who never moves, holding fast to the promise of Your truth that You are holding tighter still to me.
The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong. The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone!’

Thank you God for being our Rock…for holding onto us…for loving us unconditionally. You are amazing in every way.