I think it's safe to say that most people despise Mondays. Goes without saying. The weekend is over, and for most, it's "back to the grindstone". Our bodies are sluggish, our mind set is dragging and it can feel like there is not enough caffeine in the world to get the week going. Trust me, we've all been there. However look at it this way, God has seen fit to give you another day. Another week. Another chance to provide for your family, a chance to make a difference in the world. You read that correctly. You can change the world. Even the smallest act of kindness can change the course of events in someones life in a positive way. The 5 minutes it takes to help someone push their disabled car to the side of the road. Stopping to help a Senior citizen who dropped her groceries in the parking lot. Giving that extra dollar to the single mom in front of you in line at the store who is just a little short of her total. Small acts for some, but to that person, it is life changing. My sons former elementary school teacher told him once that there is no such thing as "luck". I have to disagree. I believe that "L.U.C.K." is a real thing. Love Under Christ's Kindness. Be someones "LUCK". Use this new week that God has given you. Be joyful and grateful for the opportunity. Give thanks to the Lord above for the chance to make a difference. Give praise. Dance and Rejoice in him. Yes, it's "MONDAY"; so what? Strap on your grown up pants and head in full throttle. The right motivation can help you do this, and I have always found music to be a crucial motivator. The Bible says, "Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp." - Psalm 149:3 So here is a song by Toby Mac that always gets me motivated to be someones "L.U.C.K." Be Blessed.
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I was raised a Christian. From very early on, I grew up in a Presbyterian church. After several years of growing up there, my parents decided it was best for the family to switch to a different church.
I never really understood why at the time, but back then; you didn't question such things. Our new church was an Assemblies of God church. I had never experienced anything like it. The people were warm and inviting, the music was lively and made you want to dance. I'll never forget my first dose of what a "Born Again" christian church was like. I remember seeing a lady become "Slain in the Spirit". Scared the living daylights out of me. I thought we needed to call an ambulance, but came to find out that this was rather a common occurrence. Listening to the Pastor preach, was like listening to a human being that was in love with the Lord. The fire, the passion; I had never experienced anything like it before. He celebrated his faith, his walk with God. I was in. Hook line and sinker. For the next several years, I was an avid member of the church. As was my family. Bible quiz, Youth Group, we were always at the church doing something. I became born again, was baptized; I even became baptized in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. I remember that feeling. The words came from me, but it was like I had no control over my body or what the words said. It is truly an experience unlike most others. One year, there were competitions being held country wide. For the life of me I can't remember what they were called, but it allowed youths to compete in a plethora of categories. From writing, to singing. Art and skits; and the one category that caught my eye. Short Sermons. I signed up for singing and short sermons quicker than you could blink an eye. I studied, and wrote. Practiced my song, day and night. I let the Lord speak to me and work through me. Then the competitions came. My song got messed up by the sound guy, who put the tape on the wrong side (which is a different key) and I couldn't hit the notes. They were too high. I shrugged it off. I knew I was a good singer, and my heart was set on the short sermon more anyway. I get called forward, and there I am. Shirt and tie, bible in hand. I unleash. The scripture was so personal to me, that I could feel the fire in my bones screaming to get out and share the word of God. A standing ovation. Hands in the air praising God. It was miraculous. This is where the story turns left when it should be heading right. We had a prayer and worship service later. Groups of people circled each other and just took turns praying and praising God. That's when it happened. This man, a pastor from another church I believe, crosses the circle and grabs me up. I have never met the man, didn't know who he was. I thought I was in trouble for a second. That's when he spoke, " heavenly Father, this man is your instrument. Jonathan (my real name, shh. don't tell anyone) you are to be a great man of God. You will accomplish amazing things in our Fathers name and you will lead the masses to his glory. You are a divine instrument of our Lord and Savior,..." Scared the jinkies right out of me. I had never met this man before. How did he know my name? What is he going on about? Me? I'm a nobody. All these thoughts were racing through my mind and I must have been as pale as ghost. His prophecy had me shaking in my boots. So I ran. I ran hard, and fast and for many years. I fell in with bad company for a while in High School, but eventually grew out of that. I then tried to hide in the Military. Through Military service, and years of Emergency Medicine I hid. Strange places to hide, doing the Lords work, saving lives; all the while trying to ignore him. Through my years of service I have seen the very best mankind has to offer, and trust me. The very worst society is capable of. I saved who I could. Hoping all the while to maybe save myself. Witnessing miracles and devastation alike, I constantly struggled with God. Then one day, years later it just clicked. More recently to be precise. As of late, I have been writing fiction novels about dystopia and the end of the world. I found myself constantly turning to the bible for inspiration and reference. That's when I started reading. And noticing how the rest of the bible applies to everyday life. And current events. And family troubles. And to who I truly am. I have been searching for so long for a way to deny my prophecy. Yet, the more I fought, the more I found myself being drawn back to him. I fight no more. I am home. Jer 29:11 |
AuthorSpike Bowan is the Pittsburgh, PA born Writer and Fiction Author. He is a Veteran of the US Navy, retired Paramedic, Husband, Father and Christian. BECOME A PATRON. CLICK BELOW!
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