Just a Flock of Seagulls

I graduated from Corona High School, and for those of you who don't know that is in Southern California, about 50 miles from the the beautiful beach and coastline.

Anyway, one of my and my sisters favorite things to do would be, drive through the parking lot of the school after hours and chase off the flock of about 100 or so seagulls. Often times during lunch break this swarm of seagulls would fly over and crap on random people (I had to bring that up).

Well, looking back it stuns me that the seagulls have taken a wrong turn. Instead of staying within their boundaries they soar out and ruin lives (haha that's a little extreme) but they just get in the way. And instead of discovering where they went wrong, they've settled for less -- the asphalt parking lot -- rather than going back to the salty sea. They've reconciled themselves to feeding on the refuge and trash of harried school kids rather than the fresh seafood cuisine of their feathered forefathers.

It's not just the seagulls that are lost... who have forgotten the reason for their very existence, the habitat for which they were created to survive and thrive. It is human beings as well. Many have become lost. They are standing in the parking lot of life subsisting off of the refuse of fast living.

Someone needs to point them to the ocean of opportunity, the sea of success, the shore of satisfaction. And I'm not talking about money or materialism... that IS mere French fries compared to the abundant life that God has for His image bearers. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Do you know someone who is discouraged? Who has taken a wrong turn in life? Who has let the fire go out on their hopes and dreams? A friend? A husband? A child? If so, hang the fire extinguisher back in the corner and become an encourager, help fan even the smallest spark of potential into a huge flame. Let's send those "gulls" and "bouys" back to the sea of opportunity where they belong.

Don't settled for less than His best. Don't give up on your hopes and dreams. Remember our Lord doesn't want us to be like the seagulls who feed on trash, get lost and settle for less, but like the eagles who soar peacefully in the sky. "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

New Heart Remix

You think you're the player,
now you're just getting played,
Lord help me be a hero to all these dismayed.

Will I practice what I preach,
will I turn the other cheek,
you know it's your will Lord that I wanna seek.
But now my Lord, God, I'm feelin really weak,
and they're all just laughing at this little Jesus freak!

But that's okay I've been here before,
It's only your Word that they all ignore.

I know in the end Lord you will prevail,
I thought it was raining but now it's begun to hail.

These hard rocks of ice just knocking in my brain,
Those sins I committed, you've washed away the stain,
now I'm askin you Lord, can you take back the pain?

I'm just a little soul tryin to change the worlds heart,
But I'm back where I've begun, right from the start.

On my knees, Lord please, be my shelter in the storm,
create in me a new heart, please begin to form.

This person I've been running from, who you want me to be,
that's the only person I want them all to see.

I tried to be a good girl, I tired to really care,
But I guess in the end, this life ain't fare!

1-2 1-2... awe the mic wasn't on... let's start all over...

You think you're the player,
now you're just getting played,
Lord help me be a hero to all these dismayed.........

Danger or Opportunity?

As I sit here still disturbed by life's circumstances, I can help but allow God to continue to talk to me... As I feel my heart begin to run back into fear and worry I open my Bible... and thank you Lord... you have spoken again!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kind, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Sometimes we don't even know what's going on or why, but perseverance is a gift to all those living in this world! In the Chinese picture-letter alphabet the symbol for crisis is a combination of two characters - one meaning "danger" and the other "opportunity". You can look either way. The same meaning came to mind when I thought of perseverance. We can see our crisis as a huge danger, and create fear and worry, or as an opportunity. If we look through God's perfect perspective we know the He will work all things together for good for those who love and fear Him (Romans 8:28). Tested faith can only create perseverance and maturity for God's rich reward.

MORE CAN BE LEARNED FROM LIFE'S TRIALS
THAN FROM ITS TRIUMPHS

"Blessed is the one who persevers under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will recieve the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

"Don't be decieved, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, comming down from the Father of heavenly lights..." James 1:16

When your heart is disturbed by fear or worry, where do you turn to find peace? Let us turn to our Father!

If you don't have a Bible it would be an honor for me to send one your way.
Please e-mail me jessica@faithandworklife.org