James 5:7-12

Wow, the last time we did this an amazing thing happened!  Thanks!
Be patient!  Hold On!  Stand Firm!  Expect Persecution!
I would hear people talk about how the world is anti-Christian, and to be honest, I didn't believe them.  People still respected God and lived out the Golden Rule!  But, as he was talking today, I don't know if that's still true.  Are we still a Christian nation?  Am I ridiculed because of my faith, or am I not ridiculed because I have assimilated into what the culture believes.
He talked about being patient through trials, but the words "If you are not experiencing trials, maybe you're not living the way Jesus wants you to" come back to remind me.
I don't need to be afraid, nothing is going to happen that You and I can't handle.
And I don't have to settle for this life that most people would settle for.
When Jesus talked about life to the full, He meant it.  He has a plan for us to have the most incredible life possible.  And it comes from really doing what He says, thinking about it, letting it be the purpose.
It's about really living it!

James 4:13-17

What is it You'd like me to do today?
    I don't really ask that question anymore because I'm afraid.  I used to ask it and then get deathly anxious about what You might ask me to do - so I think I just let it fade from my mind.  Blocked it out.  Kind of like when you keep on eating junk food.  I know the effects it has on my body, but I just ignore them - pretend like they are not there.
    I think that has to drive You even more crazy than when I'd ask and then get totally freaked out when something crazy would pop into my head.  At least I was saying No.  Now, I'm not even asking. Apathy - that's the word.  Not caring!  That's a pretty good way to describe my life for the last, heck, maybe year.  But, NO MORE!
     What do You want me to do today?  I know that everything I try to do (oh no, here comes a cliche) on my own - that's no good!  When cool things were happening was when I would trust You, ask You, respond to You.  Wasn't there a way to set an alarm to remind me?  Maybe I should do that today.

James 3:13-18

Asking for stuff that you think would make you happy - WHOOPS!  I can specifically remember times in the last couple of months that I've said, "If I just had this...." or "If this just happened...."  like God doesn't know what is best for me, like God isn't looking out for my best interests.  I think He even gave me a few just to show me, "Oh, life is still pretty much the same."
     To be honest, as I look back at where I've been for a while now, it's a pretty dark place.  It's a place of seeking after what is best for me.  I've got a pretty good history of doing that, but I took it to a different level during the very recent past.  I started to do things I knew God wouldn't approve of, justifying them along the way, and I can see now what it was doing to my soul.
     It feels like I'm on the way back - like God and I are getting back on the same page.  And I'm glad for both times.  I can't remember a time when I've been so anti-God or would consider myself an enemy of God, but these last couple of months - maybe?  The good thing about that is I feel (and I hate to use the word "broken") broken, more sure than ever that I need You and that You really do have what is best for me.
      Pop, that's a good question!

James 3:13-18

Meekness?  Do I have that?  I think I did at one point, but maybe it's slowly eroded away.  I think a valid critique of my personality is that I do things for the glory - always have.  I've always wanted people to notice me, people to praise me, to be the guy that was better than everyone else.  But, it's not really about that.  I should be my best and I should do things that are great, all the time realizing that there are other people who are doing great things too.  That's God's plan.  If He has great things planned for me, then He has to have great things planned for others too!  It's not a monetary system where there is only so much to go around.
      We don't really have to be better than anyone else; because in God's economy that's not how it works.  He really does set it up where we are really only competing against ourselves.
      "Here's the job I have for you. Did you do it?"
      "Here's the talents you have.  Are you using them?"
      "Here's the situations you were in today.  How did you handle them?"
      "Here's the people I put in your path.  What did you do with them?"
      I loved when he talked about having people give the glory to God.  I don't exactly know how that would work.  I'm trying to think of a time that I did something and somebody said, "God is so good!"  Yeah, I guess that is a good example.  The Boys from Durham.  I can't remember them saying anything great about me or being impressed with my personality or who I was.  But, some of them started reading the Bible, going to church, moving toward God.  I just showed up and great things happened.  Actually, as I look at the race.  I didn't do anything huge.  No one said, "Wow, Tony what a great job!"  But, a lot of people said, "That race was awesome!"
      Doing things in such a way that the praise doesn't come to you, but that it goes toward the greater good.  The end goal is that John 10:10 would happen - not that we are looked at as awesome.  Meekness.  Wisdom.

James 3:1-12

I'll take it one further.  I don't just want to use the tongue not to do bad stuff, I want to use the tongue to encourage, to challenge, to change the lives of people I meet.
Have I done that lately?  Not really, but I think it's in me.  I do like to encourage people - just haven't thought a lot about it lately.  Let's do that today!
    And could we help Luisa with her job - let that go well.

James 2:14-26

Were there any actions?  I did call in that person and clean up the signs and get here at 6 and help out at the homeless shelter and pick up a balloon - so there were some actions.  I actually think this is one of the things I do pretty well - I'm not a big talk guy or big worship guy, but I do believe you show who you are by how you treat people, by what people you hang out with, by who you value.
      As I go through this goofy time, let me not forget that is who I am - a James type of person.  And today, can you help the shelter get filled and encourage Luisa.

James 2:1-13

     What would I do if I knew that Javy Baez, Jimmy Butler, Nana Akenton, Chris the actor, Adam Sandler and a whole bunch of famous people were going to be at the homeless shelter on Tuesday?  It would be a big deal!  I probably wouldn't change to be honest with you, but there would be a different vibe because something unique was happening.  We don't get a chance to hang out with those types of people that often.
    I think about the times that I've been in the presence of "famous" people.  Jeff Joniak, Hub Arkush, the Bears news people, Larry Brown, Tony LaRussa, - to be honest, not that big a deal (except Hub Arkush, just really like that guy!).  I do think that I'm more excited when I see one of my homeless buddies at the library or meeting the kids at the Compassion Center.  That's not as big a problem for me.
    But, my favortism comes in with the pretty people.  At work, I do find myself looking forward to talking to the pretty people more than the - ok, is that really true.  Maybe it's not.  Maybe I'm starting to get a more realistic view of life.  Maybe, just maybe, I do pretty good here.  Sure, there are some people I like more than others, but I think I most often treat everyone the same.
    God, let's improve on that strength.  And, I would love for Grace to dominate that AP test, or at least score pretty well so that she can have no pressure on any future AP test or feel like she has to do more (or be made to feel like she has to do more.)  Also, help Sof's disappointment lead to better things.
   

James 1:13-18

John 10:10 Moments - those moments when temptation is creeping you.  You know something is the wrong thing, but you want it, and there is a crucial decision to make.  Sin, which leads to death, or John 10:10 - Life to the Full.  Jesus offers life to the full.  He knows we are going to be tempted, but He's also promised us that His ways lead to life, and life to the full.
     So, now I have a decision!  Temptation is going to come.  It always does.  Do I choose that which I want or John 10:10?

JAMES 1:1-12

I guess trials can come in many forms.  I usually think of them as like death in the family, lose a job, get beaten in the fantasy football playoffs.  Events, specific moments, things you can mark on a calendar.  But, as I listened today, I thought about just being in a bad place - a down time.  My trials these days seem more times of boredom or lack of enthusiasm.  Right now, my biggest struggles are that I really don't have passion for anything, and the things I think about doing, I find some reason not to.  I fill up my time with watching shows or sports or reading or things that really don't have any significance.  And I give up things like family, helping the poor, teaching.
     I guess I could get down on myself for those things, or I could look at this as a time of trials - a time when God is helping me become more like Him.  Maybe you are trying to teach me that I can't earn your love, that it's not about what I'm doing but who I am.  Maybe I need to go through this time when I'm not doing anything great (and don't even want to) to help me realize that I don't have to do anything great.  Maybe these trials are a reminder that my life can be best lived by being like you in normal, everyday circumstances.
     Has my family, my job, my volunteering driven the life out of me - I don't think so.  It's just a time I'm going through, a time of trial perhaps, that is helping me become more like you.  As I think about it, I probably am more like you during these times.....ok, that's wrong.  But, I do feel like I could use a little toning down on the inappropriate stuff, on the unhealthy habits.  What am  I even talking about right now?
    I guess it's becoming the Tony Melton you created me to be.  I've strayed a bit from that.  I'm more of a positive leader than I've become.  I'm more determined, more focused.  OK, maybe that's not true either.  Maybe I should ask You - maybe even spend more time with You and let You lead me to whoever it is You want me to become.  Let's do that!  Let me take whatever comes and let You guide me in it!
     Today, can you help all the race stuff get done, and help Sof and the others who tried out grow from whatever happens.  Also, if by some miracle, you could have Grace do great on the AP test because I really struggle with what is the right thing there.
    Thanks for this time.  It's been good!

DO GOOD AT ALL TIMES!

    There is this verse in Galatians that talks about doing good, not only when Paul is present, but at all times!  I like to think that is exactly what I do - do good no matter who is present.  At least that's what I like to think!
      Do I act the same when my principal is in my room as when she is not?
      Do I run the shelter differently when the pastor is there?
      Do I perform any differently when I am with the Compassion big wigs?
      Do I?
      Maybe it's not even just in my roles of leadership.  Maybe I'm not the same person depending on who is around.  I'm sure that is somewhat normal - you play to your crowd.  But, I wonder if I say or do anything differently just because I'm trying to impress certain people!
       Actually, as I look at the above questions, I think I may be a "what you see is what you get" type person.  I think Paul might be able to look at me and say, "OK, you're good there."

SEPARATED FROM MY MOTHER'S WOMB - SOUNDS PAINFUL

     In the third chapter of Galatians, Paul says that God separated him from his mother's womb.  What in the heck?
     Wouldn't that be a little painful?  Maybe grotesque?  Illegal in some countries? OK, still working on that one.  But, in the very least he paints a pretty disgusting picture about 3/4 of the way down in Chapter 3.
      He does talk a lot in that chapter about how the stuff he got did not come from men or flesh and blood, but from the Spirit of God.  He says that the things he is saying were given to him directly from Jesus.  So, I think the point he is trying to make is that his new way of thinking is not "what are my friends, my family, even my own mother telling me to do."  He has shifted over to the "what does Jesus want me to do" camp.
      And to get there, he could have been slowly assimilated to God's kingdom going half-way between there and the "mother's womb" world.  Or, God could just have him do the Polar Plunge - just dive in to this new way of thinking.
       When you are separated from your mother's womb, there's no going back.  You have left that way in the past.....
        I guess that's what God would love for all of us to do.

GOOD JOB GUYS!

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

         He was here in the beginning, with God - heck, he was God.  Jesus is omnipotent, omnipresent and has no beginning or end.  Whatever can be said of God can be said of Jesus.  So, and I don't take this lightly, Jesus really was God walking here on this earth.  This is the same God who made everything on this earth - created the thing!  He knows what "life to the full" is all about - and it's for everyone.  Now, here's the problem.  In this world, there is also darkness.  
     Right at the beginning of John, he lets us know that there is a presence that is the opposite of what God is all about.  But, we are the stronger!  We will show people what life could be like.  We are hope and life!
     I"m going to try not to be cocky saying this, but every time I do what Jesus would do, every time I think how Jesus would think, every time I pray as Jesus would pray - I bring that light into the darkness.  It's kind of crazy to think about the world as darkness - I'm a pretty positive person and see a lot of good here.  That's a sign to me that the light is overcoming.  We are doing our job.  
     As I started to think about these first five verses in John, it was a little overwhelming.  So much loaded in those first four sentences....and then so much responsibility in the last one.  But, as I've taken some time to break it down, it's pretty simple.  Jesus is God - same person.  We know what God would do for the most part, and every time we do that we help people have the life that God really wanted for everyone.  And when I look at the world today, that's happening quite a bit!
     

WANT A BETTER LIFE? RISE!

     So, this is the last in the "Want a better life?" series, and I'm going to give you a little challenge.
You want a better life?  Rise from the dead!
     Oh, you can't do that?  Too impossible?  Not even a chance?
     Well then, how about give the guy who did a chance?
     Boom!

WANT A BETTER LIFE? STAND UP!

     I was watching Bill Burr yesterday, and he was talking about being married.  He was saying how he had to pick his battles, but there was no way he was going to sleep downstairs.  "What man does that," he said, "Um, ok, I'll go do what you want. Where do you want me to sleep - in this corner or over here?"
     "No!' he said.  "First of all, I'm stronger than you.  Second, this is my bed.  You're mad - you go sleep downstairs.  Third, I can't set a precedent.  Every time you want something, I'm just going to give in."  So, that's his thing.
     Not sure I'm with him on everything about that situation, or his overall marital advice, but I do believe he has a good point.  There are times in your life that you just have to put your foot down.  No matter who or how many people are against you - it's time to Stand Up and make the decision that's right.
     Every time I read the story of Jesus being crucified, Pilate's decisions fascinate me.  If he would have only stood up the first time, Jesus would have gone free.    He knew what the right thing to do was - he even told the crowd that Jesus was innocent and he was going to set him free.  But, instead he puts the decision off on another person.  Then, that person (Herod), sends him back, so he's got another chance. Again, he knows the right thing to do.  He tells the crowd, "This Guy has done nothing."  But, they don't share his opinion, so, for the second time, he let's someone else tell him what he should do.
     You want a better life? Stand up for what is right!  No matter who disagrees with you.

WANT A BETTER LIFE? BE STRONG!

     It's easy to do what's right......sometimes.  A little kid is crying in a store and it's obvious there is no one around to help.  There's a call to donate to some legit charity.  They don't need much, and you have enough to give.  You're in a store, you have plenty of cash, and even though you could steal something - most people wouldn't.  Really, for the most part, given that you have enough, the pressure is not on, there's some accountability, and the cons outweigh the gains - most of us would do what's right.
     But, what about if a crowd of people is challenging you?  What if you know that physical pain could result from your decision?  What if you could really use a little "hand up"?  What if there is something that you could do which would make your life so much easier and no one would ever know?
     Now, it's not so easy!
     Have you ever seen that quote that says something about, "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that something extra"?  I believe that's true about life.  Every time we stand up to pressure, every time we don't give into fear, every time we put character in front of even our own needs, and every time we do what's right even if no one is looking - it builds us up.  There's something that exponentially boosts up our lives when we stand up for what is right in the most dire situations.
     It's not easy, and it may not make sense, but you want a better life?  Be strong, and do what's right even when it would be easier not to.

WANT A BETTER LIFE? SUCK IT UP!

     I forget who it was, but somebody once said, "Do the hard stuff first."  He was saying that when you organize your day, you should put all the difficult things you have to do at the top of your list so that you can get them out of the way.  And, to me, that makes a whole lot of sense, except for I have a better way....
     Don't put the hard stuff at the top of your list, don't put it on the bottom of your list, just forget the hard stuff.  Don't do it.  Too hard, why worry about it.  That's pretty much how I usually handle anything remotely difficult that I have to do.  Sometimes I'll come up with mental reasons why I should ditch it, but mostly I just dismiss the hard stuff from my mind right away.
      Speaking from experience, this is not a great idea.  One, the hard stuff usually doesn't just go away.  That same issue I'm ditching today is still there tomorrow.  Two, every time I don't do something hard, it takes my Courage Points and drops them down one.  I get less and less likely to do the hard stuff next time.  Which, three, leads me into the "I am a wuss" frame of mind.  I get down on myself for not being strong enough, courageous enough, tough enough to do what I know I should do.
     It's just better to do the hard stuff - better for us, better for others, better for the world.  So, you want a better life?  Suck it up and do the hard stuff.

WANT A BETTER LIFE? SERVE!

     Make America Great Again!  Heard that one a lot lately?  Everything is supposed to be great!  Be great at your job!  Do great in school!  Have a great day!  This blog is great!  We strive for greatness.
     And sometimes great is not even enough.  We want to be the greatest!  The greatest parent who ever lived.  The greatest singer or actress or teacher.  Have a debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time and you'll get into a heated argument with some.  Being the greatest is a big deal.  We even have an acronym for it - G.O.A.T.
      But, what if being the greatest isn't a great goal?  What if trying to be the greatest really leads us to a life of comparison and never being satisfied?  What if we would actually be more content and fulfilled coming in second, or third, or last?
       What if the greatest amongst us are really the least?  What if we strived to put others in front of ourselves?  What if our main goal was to be to make everyone else the greatest - never looking for the accolades or praise?
      I have a feeling that it would release a lot of pressure, and we could concentrate on a whole lot more healthier things.
      Maybe we could actually rejoice when someone else does something great.  Maybe we could eliminate worrying over "where we stand."  Maybe we could even love all people - no matter who they are.
      I guess what I'm trying to say is this - Want a better life?  Become a servant.

WANT A BETTER LIFE? DON'T GIVE UP!

     A lot of people in the Christian world think that Judas was a bad guy.  Ok, so he sold out one of his best friends.  And yes, he did trade the life of a human for some cash.  If you look in the Bible at the part where Judas decides to betray Jesus, it might even say that Satan entered him.
     But, I don't think Judas made this decision because he wanted to hurt Jesus.  I don't even think that he did it just so he could make some cash.  In fact, when he realizes what he's actually done, Judas hangs himself.  See, I think the whole thing went down because Judas gave up on Jesus being the Messiah.
      A lot of people do that.  I mean, it's a pretty big stretch to say that Jesus wasn't even a person who lived on this earth - that's in a lot of historical texts.  And to think that no one ever considered Jesus was the Messiah would be kind of crazy too.  But, as far as people giving up on Him actually being sent from God to show us the best life possible - well a lot of people have given up on that idea.
      Don't do that!  I'm not saying you have to believe that Jesus was God - heck, you don't even have to believe in God.  I'm not saying that you have to believe that Jesus was sent to show us how to have the best life possible.  What I am saying is just don't give up on the idea that He might be.  It's one thing not to believe it, but it's a whole other to say I never will.  Just leave a little bit of that door open - just in case.
     Just in case what?  Just in case He really does want to help.
     Want a better life?  Don't give up on Jesus.

WANT TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE? THINK MIRACLE!

    I know some things are hard to believe.  A person rising from the dead, multiplying loaves of bread, helping a blind man to see - I guess that's why they call them miracles.  In fact, just in case you don't believe in miracles, I Googled it.  They're all over the place.  Reports, articles, Top Ten lists - I would think, at the very least, there is a better than average chance that miracles do happen.
    So, what's the big deal?  Well, everyone needs a miracle some time.  And sometimes, a miracle is the only hope you've got!
     I've got to be honest, as an introverted, average at best personality, not blessed with many talents type of guy - I needed to believe in miracles if I thought I was ever going to do anything anywhere close to great with my life.  And, luckily, I've had a pretty good life.  We've had a few deaths, but the worst thing that has happened to me was when the Cubs lost the playoffs in 1984 (doesn't seem so bad anymore!).
     But, what about people who are dealing with some real stuff?  What about people who have something going on that looks so bleak that hope seems a distant possibility?  How do they go on?  Well, miracles I guess.  At some point, I really think you have to believe in miracles or else you'll go crazy and lose all hope.
     So, want a better life?  Give miracles a chance.

WANT TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE? GIVE!

     Everyone is a slave to something, right?  We all have something that has control over us.  I like to say, for me, it's Coke (not like the drug, the fountain beverage!). Could I do without it?  Definitely.......Probably.......Maybe.......It's Possible........OK, I'm 45 fat and still drinking Coke.  For some, it's work.  Some, it's a TV show.  Some, it's another person.  Some, it's alcohol or drugs.  Now, some of these things aren't bad in and of themselves, but I'm guessing that anytime something has control over us it's not a good thing.
     What about money?  That one controls some people.  Again, money is not a bad thing - it really comes in handy down here.  But, every time we give some of it away, we show that it doesn't control us.  And that feels kind of good.
     We've all done it.  Bought someone dinner.  Paid for their groceries.  Got them a pop at Speedway.  It's feels great, right!   And I've got a crazy theory - the more we do it, the better our lives get.
      So, you want to have a better life?  Show money who's boss and give it away!

WANT A BETTER LIFE? CHOOSE IT!

     What a scumbag!  He tells his dad to give him his inheritance right now - before his dad even dies!  Then, goes far away from his family.  Parties until there is no money left, and in all that fun, loses everything he has!  Long story short, he ends up broke.
     Fast forward!  Our scumbag is now feeding pigs for a living, and the money he is making provides only enough so that the food he eats isn't even as appetizing as what he's pouring in the troughs.  There are times when he watches the pigs eat and thinks, "Why not?"  He has no more friends.  Shockingly, those partying buddies of his left as soon as the money was gone.  HIs body has been wrecked by months of negligence.   The best job he can get is as a pig feeder, and he sees no hope for a future of either making a difference in other's lives or, at least, just making enough cash to make a difference in his.  His life is pretty bad.
     Now, he knows there is a better life out there.  If he would go back home, his dad has a good business.  He could work for him, make a whole lot more money, and hopefully get some hope back.  At least he would be surrounded by people who loved him.....once (would they still after what he did?).  He did have a few friends around the area that he's actually started to miss.  When he thinks about it, there is no doubt.  That life would be ten times better!
      But, it comes with a price.  Talk about humiliating.  That would require him coming back!  Facing the dad who he demanded his inheritance from!  Facing a family and telling them the truth!  Admitting he'd screwed up, and being honest about his life now! He'd be the town screw up!  He'd be a hired hand instead of a son!
       Tough decision!  But he goes for it - figures anything is better than this.
        He wanted a better life, so he chose it!
      Guess what happens!  He goes back, and Dad runs to him with open arms - even has a party for him!  He chose a better life, and got more than he bargained for!
(Story stoled from  Luke 15)

WANT A BETTER LIFE? HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT!

     You know who I like to hang out with?  The funny people!  The good-looking people!  The people who everyone else likes!  That's better than hanging out with the awkward people, right?  Those people who don't really know what to say, how to act, don't dress that well.  Heck, maybe they even smell a little bit. You know who I'm talking about at your work place or school or neighborhood.
     It's tougher to be around those types of people.  But, the cool thing about being one of those people that is more on the "awkward, funny looking, socially weird (but rather pleasant smelling)" side, is that I've done more than my fair share of hanging out with just those types of folks.  I always tell kids, "If you have no one to hang out with, go find someone else who is just like you."
      The good news is that there are a ton of people out there who need a friend.  A ton of people who need to be reminded that they are special.  A ton of people that could use some hope.  Those are the kinds of people I should be hanging out with.  The funny, good-looking, everybody else likes them folks are going to be alright.  But, we can really make a difference in the lives of the "different" ones.       So, whichever side you lean toward,  you want a better life?  Start paying attention to the ones who need it the most.

WANT A BETTER LIFE? TRY HUMILITY

     So, I was just in the paper....again!  That's the second time in a couple of months - no big deal!  OK, maybe it is a big deal.  Maybe it's what I really crave - attention, recognition, a sense that I'm important.  Heck, maybe that's what we all crave.  And there's nothing wrong with that....until there is!
     The thing I catch myself doing is seeking after that attention or getting disappointed when I don't get the recognition I "deserve."  I spend a lot of time trying to "impress" people (not sure why I added the quotes there!).  The problem with that is, one, I don't do much that is all that great, and, two, even if I do, you can't count on people to notice.
     Here's what I've found.  It's a lot better to try and recognize others, give others attention, make others feel important.  There's a lot less pressure to be perfect, and in this crazy Jesus kind of world, it actually feels better to give other people praise than to get it yourself.
     But, that's a hard thing to do.  Our natural inclination is to want praise.  To want to be important.  To want to be known.  Again, not bad things.  But, it seems like when we focus on doing those things for others, our lives become a whole lot better!
     Want a better life? Try humility!

WANT A BETTER LIFE? TRUST

    We were riding in the car two days ago after an awesome day of really cheap movies, food that is horrible for you and time to hang out with friends (or at the library, if only your daughter has friends).  The topic of school came up, and eventually it got to worrying about grades or something like that. I said, "I wish I could teach people how NOT to worry."
    When it comes to worrying, the bus driver from Billy Madison sums up my thoughts, "OK, I didn't, but a friend of mine.."  I know a lot of people who worry.  And I get it?  Money, jobs, kids - this world is a crazy place.  If you listen to the news or start basing your life on other people's Facebook feeds, worrying seems like a pretty easy thing to do.
    And if you only looked at this world, how things are, I could accept worrying as the only "smart" answer.  However, there's something inside of me that says there is more.  There's something inside of me that says we don't need to worry about money, we don't need to worry about our kids, we don't need to worry about what is going to happen in the world.  There's something that tells me that Someone has our back.
      We may not all believe in that someone, but if you give me the choice.  Go through this life trusting that I am going to do all the right things vs. Go through this life trusting that there is a God -  who created the whole deal, created me and wants what best for me - to do the right things.  I'll go for B.
     If there is another way, I'd love to know it; because I really do wish I could teach people not to worry.  But, for right now, I guess I'm just going to have to go for, Want a better life? Trust God.

WANT LIFE TO BE BETTER? ASK!

     Let's just pretend for a second that God really did create the whole world.  And then let's pretend that He made you.  And then let's pretend that He really does love you and wants what is best for you.  Too much?  Well, stay with me here.
     That's actually the story that's in the Bible.  Not everyone believes it, so it's ok if you don't, but just for a second, let's say you do.  This same God said, "Ask and it will be given to you.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be open."  Want to pretend for a second again?  Pretend that the God who created the world, who knows how life works, who knows how you work,  really does want to give you good things!
     We do not have to do this life alone!  We can ask for help.  And, if this pretend world is actually true, that help is not coming from Bob next door or a student in my 5th grade class.  It's coming from the One who really knows what we need.
     Want a better life?  Ask!

IT'S BACK! AND HERE'S THE REASON WHY.....

     If you're a Christian and have gone to church for any amount of time, you've probably heard this question, "If you died today, do you know that you'd be in Heaven?"   If you asked most people today, they'd either say they don't care, they don't know or See you in Hell.  But, that's the wrong question anyway!
       The better question, and the question I think almost everyone is asking, is, "How can my life be better.....right now?"  That's the question  I want to answer with this blog.  It's been a while since I've written anything, but I've started to realize (again) that Jesus was pretty smart.  One time He said, "I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full."  (Get it, the name of the blog is Life to the Full?)  And anytime I've done His stuff, things have gone pretty well for me - not like won a million dollars well, or human success well, but my life is just better.  That's the part I think a lot of people are missing with this Jesus stuff - it really does work!
     So, I'm going to write this with the hope that something goes from the keyboard to my heart, that maybe a few other's lives will be better, and that this world might just become a little bit better because of it.  And, even if it doesn't do any of these things, at least I'll have something to do with all my free time!