The Best Tour Guide Ever

The first tour guide that I ever remember was when I stepped into a boat to explore the jungle in the far away country called Disneyland. The tour guide saved me from hippos, gorillas, and piranhas. He cracked a few jokes and made me laugh as a little kid. I've had a few tour guides in my life in different venues. There were tour guides for me in Chile, Poland, England, D.C., and a slew of national parks. The BEST TOUR Guide has been the One who guides my future and gives me guidance according to His will for my life. Throughout life there have been opportunities to walk paths. Some places in life have given me a number of paths to choose from, but through God's divine guidance, He has directed me to one specific pathway over another. These pathways range from my decision to switch high schools after my sophomore year, college decisions, career decisions, and family decisions. I am reminded today of Psalm 32:8 "The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Throughout scripture you will find the words "path" or "pathway". In each instance there is God either in the forefront or backdrop directing the psalmist, the prophets, the disciples, and the Word reminds us that He also there directing your PATHWAY today. Some of you may feel like you are in a wilderness place, if you find yourself there today, take some time to reflect and meditate on Isaiah 43:19. If you want a future that was intended for YOU specifically, LISTEN to the best tour guide ever! The key word in the last sentence was listen. To start the tour read the passage of scripture below and sit back and enjoy the ride, because God has an incredible tour for you!

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 23:3
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psalm 25:4
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Acts 2:28
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence

Life & Ministry Lessons- ZIP IT

A few weeks ago I got to observe someone telling my son to "ZIP IT", as in his mouth. This person was an authoritative figure and had the right to do so, and I stood to the side and smiled as it happened. The only thing Luke was guilty of was talking...too much...and out of turn. One thing I have learned in life is that I sometimes need to "ZIP IT". I need to listen instead of trying to have an answer for every question, conversation, and opinion. If you know me, you know that I have the gift of gab. Luke did not fall too far from the tree. Jenelle and I joke, because we are in a small group where I rank 3rd in the group on the gift of over-speaking. This has been a rare occurence in my life time. I remember raising my hand in class as a 4th grader just to say "I forgot what I wanted to say, but I did have something to say." As I walk through my daily routine, there are moments when I sit in silence or solitude and for all better purposes SHUT UP. I listen. For me to be tuned into what God wants to say to me or even through me, I have to shut everything down and out, so I can hear. When I say, "speak for your servant is listening", I am committed to listen for what may be said. God speaks to people in many different ways and I find that with all the noise in our life, no wonder so many people miss out on what is being said. This is a life and minsitry lesson I have had to learn, and I'll admit it has been hard at times because I feel sometimes there is a need to speak up, but I've learned it is far better to just ZIP IT at times. Deuteronomy 30:20 says, "And that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life." Today, start to practice listening for what God may say to you. To apply this, read His WORD, and then sit in silence for 5 minutes and listen, listen, and you will see through His Word, His Voice, His stirring in your spirit that you will be blessed when you listen and respond accordingly. Peace Out My Friend and do God a favor, zip it, for your benefit not mine.