Once in a Blue Moon

We have all said it, right? We use it as an excuse actually. When we think of changing something in our lives, of taking a leap of faith, we put it off and say, "Once in a blue moon I think about....."

Did you know that they don't occur often? The next blue moon doesn't occur until July 2015, which is 3 years away.  So what is a blue moon you ask? A blue moon occurs when there are two full moons within the same calendar month, the first at the very beginning of the month and the second at the end.  That's why they don't occur very often.

So, what is it that you have thought of changing, what is the new challenge you have wanted to take but just haven't out of fear of failure? What is it you would like to take a leap of faith for, but have allowed fear to keep you from doing? Want to learn a new language? Take up a new hobby? Sign up for that missions trip that you think you could never go on?  What is it?

The enemy of our souls would love for us to live in fear and discouragement, but Jesus Christ died to give us a full and complete life.  That isn't a life that starts once we die and get to heaven, it starts right here, right now!  What's stopping you from grabbing on to that full and complete life that God has laid out in front of you?

If you will only think about it once in a blue moon, you are in luck! Today is your day!  Today is a blue moon; I saw it myself as I was out for a walk this morning.  Today, grab hold of what it is God has for you and jump! Take that leap of faith. It's yours for the taking.  God's got you. He won't let you go!

Have a blessed day my friends and enjoy the blue moon like I do!

The Rock

A pile of rocks, it is just  a pile of rocks in the middle of someone's yard.  The largest one is about 2 feet high, just to look at, it's nothing special. All winter long it just sits there, but come the spring, when the frost is no longer an issue, that rock does something special, well special to me anyway.  That rock is actually a fountain and water will shoot up a couple of inches over the top and fall again. Oh the sound of the water hitting off the rocks below always puts a smile on my face.

That rock reminds me of the story of Moses and the people of Israel when they were wandering in the desert. The people were complaining because there was no water in sight, but God didn't need for there to be water around for Him to give His people a drink.

"I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel." Exodus 17:6

How many times do we face the seeming impossible and wonder where God is, wonder why He isn't showing up? How many times do we grumble and stay in a position of grumbling?  God understands our humanity, but He also wants us to remember to trust Him with everything.

So what is your seeming impossibility? What is it that you just can't seem to get through today?  Just like the water that poured out of that rock for the Israelites thousands of years ago, God wants to pour out just what you need into your life if only you will trust Him. Run to Him, He is waiting to hear from you; He wants to hear all about it.

" Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

God may or may not answer our request the way we want him to, because he sees the big picture and knows what will work out for our best. One thing is for sure though, the more we run to Him, the more we lean on Him, the more we trust His heart, the more He will develop us into the men and women He created us to be. He is definitely making something beautiful out of our lives.

So when I pass that rock and hear the sound of the water I remember what God did for the Israelites in the desert all those years ago and I remember that He wants to work in my life in miraculous ways as well.  Nothing is impossible for our God!  What a beautiful reminder to me.  I love it!

One Lonely Blossom

A couple of months ago I wrote about two magnolia trees that had suffered from the effects of blossoming too early in the season; having their blossoms die once the cold weather returned..  The one tree that grew without any protection from the elements held on to its dead blossoms, with its leaves not breaking through as quickly as the other.

With time, that tree did indeed flourish; its leaves a lush green. It stands beautifully next to the sidewalk as I walk by, but if I look closely, into the middle of the tree, I can still see the dead blossoms that never did fall.  That tree has held on to the devastation of the past winter.

A few days ago as I walked by I looked at that beautiful tree and noticed something, a single lonely blossom, but one blossom reaching up to the sky.  That beautiful blossom spoke to my heart; hope. It is not the season intended for it to blossom, but it has anyway. No matter what we have gone through in the past, no matter what hurts have gotten us down, there is always hope.  Jesus Christ died to give us hope. He wants to turn all the negatives of the past, all the hurt, the pain, the bad choices, all of it, he wants to turn them into beautiful blossoms of His glory.


When I look back at my life, there are painful moments that continue to reveal themselves, coming to mind at the most inopportune time.  Those memories can hurt to the core of my being.  I can deal with the pain, I can forgive whoever needs to be forgiven, but in the end, those blossoms that died continue to mark who I am at my core.  That mark can become a thing of beauty if only I will allow it to be, if only I will allow God to heal me at my core. I can choose to stay stuck in my pain and my sorrow, or I can choose to allow God to heal my heart and use it all to impact the lives of others for his honor and glory.


"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If I do that, if I allow God to do his thing in my life then he will make my life a life of beauty.  I, like Isaiah, feel like I will be able to say, " The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,   to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

That is exactly what I want. I want my life to reflect the hope that comes with one lonely blossom.  How about you?