God Playing Around With Me?

Well, the title comes from two mornings in a row of waking to immediate crystal clear thoughts.  This kind of thing does not happen every day.  In fact, it just doesn't happen.  Here's the usual scenario:  The phone alarm chimes at 6 am, I wake, I turn it off and lay on the pillow again.  The phone alarm chimes (mind you, it is a gentle and pleasant sound) at 6:02.  I think about spending the next half hour in prayer and meditation.  I thank God for the new day, and for allowing me to continue on... snnnore... I drift back into sleep.  This is what I have been doing for the last month.  Something about being motivated is not quite there at the moment.  I end up at 7, getting myself and my son ready for the day.

These two mornings I awoke to immediate thoughts of a person's name (day one), and a clear image of an iconic color needed to capture attention in a future business venture (day two).  Not only did this give me pause because it never happens, but the two days in a row with such important information drew my thoughts to God and His nature.  Is He just fooling around with me?  Is God playful?  It is amazing to be 44 years old and still learning about the nature of God.

When He said he created man in His own image, do you think that the personalities and traits of people reflect His nature?  How do we know His nature other than what we see in the OLD and New Testament.  I emphasize OLD in capitals, because the God shown here is powerful, exclusive, and judging!  We have one instance with no other statements to expound, of Enoch being a friend of God, and being taken up to heaven after the age of 300+ years.  Abraham and Moses, David... they were all friends, but there is a looming 'BIGNESS', authority, power, and holiness that overshadows the old stories.  The love is there, but the crushing punishment for sin is there as well, with very little mercy.

In the new testament, I'm sorry...New Testament (must capitalize), God changes dramatically.  In the form of His son, Jesus, He shows us a love and mercy, forgiveness, kindness, justice, generosity, and even playfulness we have not seen much before.  The reason for this can be explained in detail later, if desired.  The point is, to come full circle, that God indeed does desire to play, to sing, and to have a good time with us!

I find it interesting in the accounts of Jesus that when taxes were due, he sent a disciple fishing, and there was enough to pay all of his and his disciple's taxes sitting in the mouth of the fish!  I am wondering about the reaction of the disciples.  If it were me, I would have laughed in amazement at the humorous way in which Jesus solved their problem.  It would have been easier to just look on the ground in front of them and find a coin, pick it up, and give it to the tax collector, but no, he had to make a big scene! It still makes me laugh.

God, in His desire for friendship with us, shows the same humor and fun we have with our other friends.  If you haven't experienced this yet, give Him a little nudge... 'Hey, Lord. Show me what you are like!  Let me see your 'fun' side.  I guarantee, He is ecstatic that you are asking!

Money better spent elsewhere...

So, I need to replace the tires on the front of my car. Smooth is not good! The money is available, but... I'm kinda thrifty and I take some pleasure in finding a good deal. Checking around, prices are a minimum $100 per tire - NO deals. Then the thought comes to me to try and buy used tires.  I check around again, calling and stopping in to different stores.  $100 bought 2 TOYO 100k tires with 80% tread. How'd I get so lucky??? Lucky - No way!  Thanks, God!  You are just awesome. Bring things to mind to satisfy my needs and wants!

He's always watching out for me!

Do you sometimes wonder at the ease in which things flow into a favorable situation for you? I know that our God ensures that we see... He is blessing and protecting those who call upon His name, and know Him as Father and best friend.

So, I will share simple things that happen, and the thought to thank God sweeps through my thoughts!

Friday, May 29.  Driving through town and just coming to a stop at a red light.  I heard something drop outside near my car. Looked out the side mirrors and saw a hubcap roll gently to the side of the road. It looked like mine, I pulled into the parking lot right next to it, and found it was indeed my hubcap. No driving at 55mph and seeing it fly off into the woods... no one drove over it and broke it... no looking later to discover it was missing. That's about $30 I saved for that old thing.  So, Thanks Father! Just a simple little thing, but I see that You are blessing me.

Friends...fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord... this is a place to connect and encourage one another.  Post your testimonies, too.  Big or small, they all matter.