The Good Shepherd

God is often pictured as a shepherd, gently caring for and guiding his flock. He is powerful and mighty, yet careful and gentle. I know that the shepherd always cares for the most defenseless members of his flock-the lambs. So when times are rough, I know that I can find peace and comfort in the arms of this gentle shepherd. God will watch out for me.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms.
Isaiah 40:11

Live a Quiet Life

1 Thessalonians 4:11
Live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work.

This is part of what it means to live as a Christian – to be responsible in all areas of your life. You cannot be effective when you share your faith with others if they don’t respect you. Be a positive force in society, both at work and in your personal life. What better witness to God’s love than a life of quiet responsibility?

Discipleship

As I sat in church last Sunday I let the words of the songs flow over me. It was uplifting. I can’t imagine starting my week any other way. While I love the music, it’s the sermons that force me to take a good look at my life and what I’m doing with it. I’m not talking about how I live my life, but how I share my God and my beliefs with others.

I don’t.

I’ve always claimed that my relationship with God is personal, but that’s just an excuse. Pastor Anthony said it was easier to go to Africa or Honduras and share God’s message than it is to walk next door and share it with a neighbor. It’s humbling to admit he’s right. My neighbors know I go to church on Sunday and bible study during the week but I’ve never sat down and shared my beliefs with any of them.

God wants us to be disciples. I would like to say I am, but if I had to sit down for an “employee” evaluation on the job I’m doing, I would be fired. I’ve been a disciple in name but not in deed. It’s time to change that.

Dear Lord,

Grant me the strength and the courage to share your love with my friends, neighbors, and coworkers. I want to be your disciple in all facets of my life, not just when it is safe and easy.

Help me, Lord.

Words of Wisdom

Experience: The name we give to our mistakes.

Diplomacy: The ability to take something while making the other person believes he gave it to you.

Tact: The ability to shut your mouth before someone does it for you.

Read the Word of God

We walk through a dark forest of evil. The world had turned its back on God. But reading God’s word can be the light to show us the way through the darkness. The guiding light will reveal the tangled roots of false promises, values and philosophies. Without it we would stumble and fall.

Walk with confidence with the Word of God as your guide. It will light the way.

They word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

It Only Takes a Moment

It only takes a moment to smile and offer a word of encouragement.

It only takes a moment to whisper a word of prayer for a friend in need.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength and
with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
~Luke: 10:27

Let Your Fledgling Spirit Soar!

Let Your Fledgling Spirit Soar!
God will Provide the Wind Beneath Your Wings.

Early Morning Thoughts

The sun is creeping over the horizon. The birds are singing but they’ll stay hidden for another hour or so. The air is cool but the potential for a beautiful day is in the atmosphere.

I love this time of day. I can meet the Lord in prayer before daily routines, problems and details crowd in. It’s not that God is not available later in the day, He always has time for me. I’m the one that lets life crowd in. So I’ll start my day with a prayer.

Please Lord, watch over me and mine.

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you
And wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:3

The Bumpy Road

My name is LizzyJean. I am a teacher by day and a writer by night. I used to write fiction, I published a humorous mystery, My Mother’s Shoes in September of 2008, but have since shifted to articles and blogging on the internet. The original intent of The Bumpy Road was to write about my love for the Lord, and how faith can hold you upright even when you stumble.

But I tripped and stumbled.

Rather than use the blog as originally intended, I used it to promote my articles and expand upon other interests. But during Lent our pastors built their sermons around the theme put forth by David Platt in Radical, Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream. They made a valid point. Christianity was meant to be shared.
God is looking for disciples.

I am not a pastor. I’ve had no theological training, but I am a Christian. As with most Christians, I stumble along counting on God to hold me up, and carry me when I can’t make it on my own. Share my journey with me. We can make it. Christ is Lighting the Way!

Say Something Nice

Compliments. It is a simple word and a simple concept, but one that many people have trouble with. They find it difficult to give a compliment and even harder to accept one. Compliments are powerful relationship building tools and that in of itself is an excellent reason to master the skill. But there is a bigger, more compelling reason to offer a compliment, it makes you feel good. You are connecting with another person. Offering a compliment is a simple skill that can change the way you view yourself and the world around you.

Every time you give a compliment, you are focused on the other person. You are actively looking for positive traits rather than focusing on the negative. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. I agree, yet I don't. If you truly look, you will find something positive to say. Look for ways to boost the spirits of those with whom you meet. Greet people with a smile. Acknowledge them and make their day brighter by saying something nice. Make it a habit and you will see the world in a different light. Develop the skill. Let it spill over into other facets of your life. The cloud of doom will lift. The obstacles that blocked your path yesterday just may become the possibilities of today.

Create a Kinder World: Say Something Nice

Have a beautiful day,
Lizzy

Build Your House Upon a Rock

Matthew 7:24-27

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

It is a powerful message and one we need to take to heart. When we try to build our lives without the Lord to guide us, we’re like the foolish man. Whatever we build will wash away at the first signs of strife and trouble. All things are possible with God, and with Christ as the foundation a house becomes a home.

Have a beautiful day,

Lizzy