Loser's Lament

Feel like a factory recall?
Struggle with a basic flaw?
Never quite making the cut.
Stuck in a loser's rut.

Never the winner,
But honorable mention.
No total loser,
And still in contention.

Second place,
Second best,
Second fiddle,
There's no rest.

Ever better,
But never best.
The grade is passing,
But there's a new test.

If this is how you feel
You're in good company
So tired of striving
Never really arriving.

How about the unthinkable -
Surrender and yield!
Place your life in God's hands;
Release frantic efforts
At so called perfection.
Opt out for God's love
And His strength and protection. Doma

Details

Details, details, details, often so important yet sometimes overlooked. Our God does not overlook details. When the tabernacle was being built, every single detail was carefully orchestrated by the LORD. The colors, materials, skills needed and sizes and shapes of all the appointments in the tent of meeting were described and clearly made known to the workmen who were building it.

Now wouldn't a God who was meticulous down to the exact composition and design of a water pitcher be concerned with His current dwelling place - you? If God's Spirit dwells within you through Jesus Christ, then you are the tabernacle of the Living God. The implications of His residence within the believer are startling.

Wouldn't a God who detailed his earthly physical dwelling be infinitely more interested in the details of His temple inside each of us. He says to us, as He said to Israel, "I will be your God and you will be my people." It is He who calls us, supplies us, sustains us down to the least detail.

So does the God of heaven care about you and your needs? The answer is a resounding, "Yes!"
From an aching tooth to rent money, God does care. He is Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there. Take heart and recall His words that He "...never leaves you nor will He forsake you, even to the end of the age." Believe it, Christian! Doma

The Truth

I do not understand how truth can be relative. When someone makes this statement, I sense right away I am likely going to hear an opinion and not actual, factual truth.

I have been saddened by the struggle some have distinguishing between fact and opinion. Often other comprehension skills are not well developed either. False conclusions are drawn, either because of a failure to concentrate and read carefully or not taking the time to do so. Another problem is understanding inferences or implied meanings. Sometimes just decoding the basic meaning of the words on a page impairs comprehension.

Why mention all of this? It's because the flippant phrase that "truth is relative" is sometimes coming from someone who has not read or researched a truth, any truth, yet he or she wants so much for there to be a secure foothold to use to get through life. But what if the truth is knowable? What if the truth is not some nebulous something, but a Someone? What about a Living Truth millions believe in and hundreds saw after His resurrection?

To whom am I referring? In the scriptures, specifically in John's Gospel, Jesus is speaking, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father but by Me." Now that is easy to understand. Accepting it takes faith and faith to believe in the Truth is a gift God loves to give. Doma

Nothing like the right word

Mark Twain said the difference between the right word and any old word is "the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."

The power of a well-chosen and timely word cannot be underestimated. Since we will be called to account by Almighty God for our words, let's be very cautious and try to think before we speak. Language has great power to create moods, attitudes and inspire actions. Verbal abuse wounds last long after the speaker is dead. A kind word takes on a life of its own, nurturing and encouraging in dark and troubling times. Your tongue has power to hurt and to heal, to lift up and to tear down. You can choose purposefully to speak with precious, anointing words and phrases. Blessing and cursing both come out of our mouths. I say, "Choose to bless."

I know it's difficult to stop and think about your word choices, but remember the time someone said something encouraging or wise to you and you were impressed by it - still are, right?

Why not be the one who gives careful thought and chooses intentionally to build someone up today? It costs you nothing, yet it can really mean something to someone. Now, I am not talking about flattering words, but real, specific words that express valid affirmation.

"Nice hair" is one thing, but, "I really like the way you are wearing your hair now. The color brings out your eyes." I'd say she's going to remember that and you! Or to him, "Good job!" How about, "I really appreciate the way you pitched in and helped me get that done. I respect the fact that I can count on you to care enough to give me a hand." Specific, pointed, real words that qualify as communication. Let's try it - OK? Doma