Mugshots

I have always enjoyed writing. I am not sure why it took me so long to begin to write for a reason. Yet, then again, maybe I do.

Life. Life is what happened.

We stay so busy wrapped up in the details of living that we often overlook or put aside things we enjoy. Now I am at the point in my life I feel I can begin to concentrate on something for me personally. Sounds selfish, but I hope not. It is my hope that through sharing my thoughts in these simple reflections grounded in scripture that you, too, will begin to experience God in a more personal way just as I have through this process.

So, why Mugshots?

It is really very simple. I have a variety of mugs collected over the years from which I enjoy my morning coffee. Each day I pick a mug that reflects my mood or compliments my outfit. Silly, I know. But each mug I own has a special meaning of a place visited, a memory made, or the giver. To compliment my morning coffee, I enjoy having a small shot or dose of scripture to contemplate as I prepare for the day ahead and whatever it may bring my way. Also, after being married for over thirty years to a spouse with a career in law enforcement, I couldn’t resist the play on words.

I began writing to link raw, real-life experiences to scripture readings – to form a connection. Then, I started sharing my work thinking my meager life lessons might hit home with others and remind us all that God is in everything – the good, the bad, and the very ugly. Each devotional in this collection offers a snapshot of everyday life linked to scripture: Life’s Moments Captured for Christ.

It is my sincere hope that you enjoy each devotional message and that you will draw closer to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as you take these scriptures to heart. So, no matter what time of day is your favorite time – I encourage you to make time for Jesus!

Take time to sit back with your favorite mug, in your favorite place and meet God face to face, every day.

Caught in the Act of

Obedience

Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded to you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33

Don’t Just Lay There

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

John 5:6

Misery loves company. Have you ever known someone who is always negative, always complaining? Do you know someone who seems to enjoy being down and out? I think we all do.

We all go through seasons of our lives where things aren’t going our way. We experience peaks and valleys throughout our lives. Yet some people get to the valley and fail to rise above it. Some of us continually wallow in self-pity over difficult circumstances such as illness – our own or others. Some of us have very difficult pasts so everything we see is tempered with a tinge of negativity. If it is too good to be true, it probably is.

A person can become so low for so long that it becomes comfortable. You become complacent. You move into this dark time not as a temporary state but setup a permanent residence. When you do this, you may as well send out change of address cards to everyone you know:

I’ve moved!

You can now find me in a permanent state of despair.

Come on over and join me.

Misery loves company!

Silly, I know, but that is exactly what happens through your words and actions. You push people away or drag them down with you.

In difficult times, we tend to lose sight of how good life can be. Instead of turning toward God and strengthening our relationship with Him, we turn away from Him. We think He abandoned us when the opposite is true. We abandoned Him. When we experience this, we have to ask ourselves, “Do I wish to get well?” and turn to our one and only healer.

In the scripture, Jesus saw this man who had been in a condition, unable to walk, for a very long time. He asked him the important question, “Do you wish to get well?” This intrigues me. It seems so simple. You might be thinking – of course, the man wanted to get well and so do all of the others around us who are suffering. You are probably right, but first the hurting person must acknowledge it.

It is hard to admit our faults. Especially to admit that we need help. It is scary to admit you want to get well. What if you acknowledge you want to get well and then it doesn’t happen? What if it does? When you aren’t struggling anymore you have to take on more responsibility. Scary stuff.

So what is the rest of the story? Verses 8 and 9 tell us, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ And at once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.”

If you or someone you know is suffering, I ask, “Do you wish to get well?” If the answer is yes, then I urge you to take the first step. You must be willing to get well, or it won’t work. If you aren’t a willing participant in the healing process, you miss God’s blessing. You may not recognize it when you see it. The man in the scripture didn’t recognize Jesus.

Tell God. Ask for His help.

Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.