Monthly Archives: January 2023

Power

POWER FROM THE SPIRIT DEVOTIONAL- October 14, 2022 by Max Lucado

Perhaps the greatest characteristic of fire is this: energy. It is the secret of the electric current. It has empowered countless coal-burning engines and fueled too many stoves to count. Fire combusts. Fire ignites. Fire moves things. And the Spirit? Does he not move us? “You shall receive power,” promised Jesus, “when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

God doesn’t want us to give him our best effort. We don’t try our hardest and then turn to God; we turn to God and trust him to do the work for and in us. The greatest force in the universe will work within you to give you the power you need to become more and more like him. He will make you holy, in an instant, and make you holier over a lifetime.

A Wish is a Dangerous Thing

This book is available for pre sale! Coming out February 12th!

A Fairy godmother grants wishes which turn familiar fairy tales on their heads.
*Invisibility doesn’t protect Bella from being seen by the Beast who steals her beauty.
*Cinderella wants to go to the ball as her true female self.
*A scientist wants nothing more than to go to the sea with his mermaid boyfriend.
*The girl in the tower views the tower as safe.
*Red Ridding Hood wants to avoid marriage.
*And two original fairy tales add their own versions of queer disabled happily ever after.

“Drink!”

Max Lucado’s devotional words on John 7:37 NASB:

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

“Jesus spoke these words on an October day in a crowded Jerusalem. People had packed the streets for the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual reenactment of the rock-giving-water miracle of Moses. ‘If anyone is thirsty.’ Skin color does not matter. Income level is of no importance. There is only one qualification. ‘If anyone is thirsty.’ All that is needed is an admission of thirst.”

Max Lucado continues: “Who fails to meet this criterion? We are thirsty—thirsty to be happy, thirsty to have meaning, thirsty for answers and strength. Thirsty. Jesus was speaking in the midst of an extremely religious moment. Even so he invited, ‘Come to me!’ Spiritual thirst is quenched only by Christ himself.”

Travel

I can understand why a person chooses not to travel. There is so much that is involved. I am lucky to have a husband who takes on a good portion of the tasks. I usually become exhausted before we even start our journey. Our last trip involved more air travel than a person should ever subject themselves to in one trip. But it was totally unavoidable. With that said here are a few tips that make it more bearable if you choose to travel:

  • Research. So much information is out there. There are travel blogs everywhere!
  • Pre-pack! Then repack taking items out each time. (Do this at least twice). Think multi tool. Pack what can be used multiple ways and multiple times. Always pack what you like and is comfortable. You don’t need those cute shoes that hurt your feet because you will be walking too far in them. Painful!
  • Use packing cubes and plastic bags. Roll tight.
  • Take some clothes that dry on a hanger. Wash them in a sink, fold or wrap them into a hotel towel and push against the wall to get excess water out. Clothes usually dry overnight. Works great for swimsuits.
  • You don’t have to do everything suggested at a destination. If you don’t like botanical gardens, don’t go just because they are a top attraction. I like them, but that is me.
  • Always be on the lookout for the unique. Sometimes another trip around the block is required. Some restaurants and bars are unforgettable, treasured memories.
  • Take some me time. Especially after flights. This is a must! We all need down time to revitalize.

I hope that 2023 will be a year of great travels! (That is if you choose to travel).