Drop The Mask

Ever know someone who outwardly seems
to have it all, but who gives off a
vibe there's something else more
fundamentally not quite what it
appears to be?













Check out this story from the Living
Bible:

"Your neighbor leans over the fence
and tells you he's going to do it.
He's going to leave your neighborhood
and more into that nice section of town.

He's finally made it - the high paying job,
a nice car, new furniture, even a country
club membership.

Yes, he's arrived. But during the conversation,
there is something nagging at you. You
realize that your neighbor never mentions
anyone else but himself - his goals, his dreams,
his toys.

Behind that smile, you begin to see his is hiding
a mountain of pain and uncertainty:

• A shaky marriage
• Unruly kids
• Intense job pressure
• A need for status and image
• The need for belonging

The pursuit of things has become his intoxicating
drink, his addicting drug, his materialistic fix
to temporarily dull the pain and emptiness
he so often faces.

The sad thing is, he doesn't even realize it."

In our fast paced modern world of rampant consumerism
where you will find more people hanging out in the shopping
malls on a Sunday than in church fellowship is a sign our
society has been convinced of a lie.

That lie being that wearing an overly materialistic "mask"
to accompany the "costume" will somehow shield us from
the insecurity, pain, & sense of emptiness our inward soul
cries out for the loving, peaceful acceptance only our Lord
provides.

So, if you know someone or perhaps you yourself are like
that neighbor, why not consider to "dropping that mask"
and reveal your true self by letting God into your life.

The sense of belonging, purpose, and peace which comes
by filling the "void" with the only true source of happiness
is something no mall can ever provide.

Won't you consider, after exhausing the bank account in
pursuing all of the latest toys and fashion, the ultimate
way to feel happy, safe, & secure that your life has a
meaning?

Drop the mask and start on your path to enlightenment
and salvation.

Come back to me and live!

Amos 5:4 (NLT)

Thank you Heavenly Father for those souls who want to
seek your grace and may find peace through you your
love.

Amen.

Coincidence Not

Ever have moments which cause you to reflect
on an event in your life which seems to happen
by coincidence?








Or, is it possibly something much more than
that? Perhaps there's some nagging suspicion
deep within your soul that it is not merely by
chance you've suddenly experienced a feeling,
a thought, or even met a person which in some
way prompts you to pause and introspectively
reflect on the deeper magnitude of that moment.

Due to that feeling, thought, or personal encounter,
you abruptly may have changed direction in your
actions only to learn later the course correction worked
out much to your benefit.

As way of personal example, I recall several instances in
my life whereby events took place that in lookingback
now from a Christian perspective, I honestly believe
were not only coincidences - but were examples of God
reaching out to me in attempts to get my attention:

• Saving me from any physical harm during a rainy
  night when my automobile spun out of control
  across three lanes of the freeway while
  completely missing all of the surrounding
  cars.
  
  
• The sudden halting of a thunderstorm
  replaced with the radiant sunshine at the
  moment of my first born child's arrival into
  this world.
  
  
• The day I met my future wife, time seemed
  to slow down and all around her there seemed
  to be a tunnel of light which obscured my periphery
  to whereby I could only focus on her approach.
  
  
• Delivery from difficult work settings
  which never felt quite right to now become a life
  of balance and purpose.
  
  
• Finding a church home filled with a
  Christian family who are grounded in the Spirit
  and promoting genuine,supportive fellowship.
  
  
• Meeting various Christ filled people
  over the years who by their actions or words
  caused me to pause and consider the
  alternative to the lifestyle I gladly
  now can claim as "former".
  
  
• Any many more other instances...
  
  
  Like ripples in a pond, those events I originally thought
  were just coincidences, were far more compelling and
  had an additive effect to me becoming acutely aware
  I was not in control of my life like I outwardly thought.
  
  I believe they were the hand of God knocking at my
  heart - letting me know I am loved and that there
  is a special relationship that was waiting for me
  when I decided to accept the offer.
  
  The offer I speak of is accepting Jesus Christ as
  my Lord and Savior and trusting in him to guide
  me to my life's true sense of purpose & fulfillment.
  
  With that decision entered a whole new world for
  me which those so called "coincidences" I now
  know are not, greatly accelerated.
  
  Old habits I had struggled with for years melted
  away - not all of a sudden - but the desire to
  continue to maintain those spiritually unhealthy
  routines just dissipated.
  
  I now look back with amazement that it was just
  that easy - if only I had answered God's call earlier.
  
  But, as I've been told from early childhood, everything
  happens for a reason and on its old time table.
  
  So, for all those out there who find this story & consider
  their own set of "coincidences", I encourage you to seek
  out your very own invitation to a truly rewarding sense
  of loving purpose.
  
  You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain.
  
  
  

  And we know that God causes all things to work
  together for good to those who love God, to those
  who are called according to His purpose.
  
  Romans 8:28