Created to be a God Pleaser and not a People Pleaser By Babs Kincaid

          The one who “knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13b) created me to be a God pleaser and not a people pleaser. God hovered over my very formation as a loving Heavenly Father. God created me to “make it my goal to please him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9 A God pleaser demonstrates unconditional, fearless, and sacrificial love and a people pleaser exhibits conditional, selfish, and fearful love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 God gave us the ultimate love gift!

          I have to continually ask myself are my words and behavior pleasing God or just pleasing other people? “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 The chilling reality is a people pleaser is not pleasing God! “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4

          My childhood was rather rocky living with an alcoholic dad, so I went overboard in my attempts to please him. With each failed effort, I became more convinced that it was impossible to please him. My dad wanted me to an art major in college so I enrolled as an art major. Since I was crafty and not an artist my endeavor backfired! I couldn’t perform as an artist since I lacked the talent! My grades were a glaring proof of it. I wanted to major in social work but my dad said that was an inferior choice since social workers didn’t make any money. Ultimately, I chose a merchandising degree instead of my dream. I didn’t follow my passion by people pleasing my dad! I threw away my dream for his sake. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25 A snare is “a noose, a hook or a trap” according to Strong’s Concordance of the Bible. I took the bait and I have regretted that decision ever since! “The Lord be exalted who delights in the well-being of his servant.” Psalm 35:27b God genuinely cares about my welfare and my selfish and materialistic dad did not! My earthly father was only concerned about how my degree might make him look good! The grim reality is my degree has never been an asset to me in my pursuit of jobs.

Guy Harvey Painting

          Extravagant gifts were the required love gesture for each holiday to people please my dad. As I grew up, I found that such expensive gifts did not match my budget. I asked my pastor one day if I should feel obligated to meet his expectations. My pastor said no, God wanted me to be a good steward of my income and not be in debt. The Bible defines God’s steward with these words: “For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” Titus 1:7-8 My dad was furious at my refusal to meet his excessive desires. My faith and respect for Christ kept me from caving into my dad’s self-centered requests. With God’s help, I was able to forgive my dad, but he never was willing to be reconciled to me or to God. My dad chose to respond with revenge by writing me out of his will. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who did not abandon me: “his name is the LORD-and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless…God sets the lonely in families,” Psalm 68:4b, 5a God has been my faithful Father ever since!

  

          So each day I am faced with choices to please God or people please others and my goal is to please God! I try to keep my perspective on this golden verse: “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 As God’s ambassador my goal is to please him. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appealthrough us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”2 Corinthians 5:20 People pleasing ultimately breeds decaying relationships but God pleasing breeds life! It is written: “for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6b Yea God! “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 The infallible word gives the best summary: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

 God, the fountain of living water is the one I aim to please!

“Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest” Photo by Babs Kincaid

Don’t limit God when creating Bodacious dreams by Babs Kincaid

        Adventurous and magnificent are God’s plans and in contrast, my plans are safe and humble. Spend a night star gazing if you need to believe God’s creative plans are excellent! Hmm…Knowing that, which ones do you think I select when building my plans and dreams? No brainer the safe and humble ones! Duh! Presently, I am in the process of changing that unworkable choice. When I look back at my life I want to see a beautiful painting not a paint by number canvas! My plans fall short and God’s plans reach to the skies!

Why do I limit God???? The answer is easy FEAR!!!!! The unknown is big and scary to me! I have no control over the unknown and invisible world! I am powerless over the supernatural world of God! But what does God say about FEAR? “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 1 Timothy 1:7 Check out this incredible verse: but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 What if I am in over my head? That’s why Jesus is called the Lifesaver! “He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Timothy 1:9 Did you get the hook “because of his own purpose and grace” he saved us? God has a glorious purpose for us and a provision of grace to carry it out! We have God’s Spirit living inside of us to keep us on the right path: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1John 4:4

Consider the intriguing and romantic Bible story of Mary and Joseph from Matthew 1. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 Joseph was betrothed to Mary. He found out that Mary was pregnant before they were to officially live together! The definition of biblical betrothal: “The period of engagement preceding marriage; betrothal was a binding contract established between two families and sealed by the exchange of gifts. During this period the couple did not live together; sexual relations with each other at this stage was regarded as equivalent to adultery.”(www.BibleGateway.com betrothal 5654) Back in Bible times it was a huge stigma and frowned upon situation! Women were stoned to death! Joseph decided to be noble and divorce her privately. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19b That seemed like a reasonable alternative to Joseph. Did you catch the word disgrace in that verse! That meant all Hell would break loose on young Mary! This was Mary’s predicament: “If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you.” Deuteronomy 22:20-21 It made perfect sense, Joseph didn’t want Mary publically shamed! However, that was not God’s plan for Joseph to divorce her.

It would take a huge leap of faith for Joseph to trust God with such a huge impediment standing in the way of his sacred marriage. FEAR was knocking at Joseph’s door and he had to shake it off if he was ever going to follow God’s design for his life. To fulfill his dream for love and marriage Joseph had to trust God. Joseph had to fully surrender to God. Joseph chose God’s best plan rather than his own for the greatest life! Joseph married the girl of his dreams!

What does fully surrender to God look like? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 I have to openly and boldly pray that God would take over the leadership of my plans and dreams. I have to let go of my plans and dreams in exchange for His plans and dreams! If I want God’s perfect plans and dreams for my life I have to get out of the way! I have to ask God what his plans and dreams are for me and I have to be quiet and listen. I have to pray: 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:9 I have to be in an undistracted place and I have to focus on God! I have to not be in a hurry. For God’s best I have to get into agreement with Him! Check out God’s reassuring response “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 Did you notice God has a loving eye on you? You can limit God or let go and let the God who calls the stars by name shine in your life!

Photo by NC Photographer Alan Ostmann

Forgiveness is God's Dynamic Love Language by Babs Kincaid

     God’s dynamic Love language is Forgiveness. The Father of Heavenly Lights has very commanding words on Forgiveness in the Bible. “For if you forgive men, when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 Do you hear God’s passion and sensitivity toward forgiveness?  It might send a shock wave through our body if we truly grasp its impact. God’s gift of forgiveness to us was so costly and sacrificial that to refuse to give it to others is unbearable to God! “Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8 We are not to be hoarders of God’s indescribable gift of forgiveness! God’s compassionate gift was given to be freely given away. This is God’s standard of love up close and personal. Think of how many times you have sinned and will sin in your lifetime. Check out God’s response for his followers “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

          The common objection to this humble extension of God’s love is always the same: “But you don’t know what malicious evil this person has done to me. If you had received such extreme bitterness, resentment, and hate you would feel differently!” Let’s look at a Biblical example in the New Testament of Saul and Jesus to check out the divine perspective. Saul a devout Jew had made it his mission to pursue Christians and have them killed. Saul felt proud and justified in his choice to be judge and executioner of the Christians. Saul was on the scene when Stephen was stoned to death. “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” Acts 6:8 Stephen’s last words were “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60b “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.” Acts 8:1 Saul was so thirsty for Christian blood that he went from town to town in hot pursuit of Christians to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem! Jesus was watching Saul and one day decided to pay him a visit. Saul was traveling and “suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?”  Did you notice that Jesus did not say why are you persecuting my follower’s? If you are persecuting Christ’s followers you are persecuting Christ! Matthew 25:40b records it this way “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  Jesus introduces himself to Saul and tells him to go to the city and he will be told what he must do. Then Saul was blind and couldn’t speak. He was led to Ananias’s house where his sight was restored. Jesus told Ananias “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” Acts 9:15b  Really!!!! Wait a minute, this guy is a Christian persecutor! How did he go from persecutor to chosen? Wasn’t Jesus justified to refuse to forgive him? Didn’t his sins pile up to the sky???? God’s love language is forgiveness! That is how God Almighty forgives and restores people from the wrong path to the right path!

          When you look at God’s in-depth definition of Love you see the foundational ingredient of forgiveness.  1 Corinthians 13:4-6

“Love is patient,

love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Forgiveness involves patience, kindness, humility, sacrifice, mercy, and truth. If love keeps no record of wrongs, then bitterness, resentment, and hate have no soil in which to grow! It isn’t my job to be the judge and jury over someone else’s bad behavior. God is fully equipped to settle accounts: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “it is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

Forgiveness is never easy but it is God’s standard of righteous and love language. God makes it crystal clear for us when he writes “Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 The beauty of it all is the written word “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 I am so grateful God’s Love covers my sin! Yea God!!!

Surprise a Codependent Dance doesn’t get a Rose by Babs Kincaid

When you take dance lessons you learn a basic principle the guy leads and the girl follows. If the girl tries to lead while the guy is simultaneously trying to lead there is chaos. Someone usually gets their foot stepped on! Ouch! Trust me it isn’t a pretty scene! Since God wants to be your Master dance partner in life, he leads and you follow. Remember Jesus said to the disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 So clearly when you dance with Jesus, he leads.

So what is a codependent dance and why doesn’t it score a rose? According to Mental Health America codependency is defined as “an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual's ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive.” So you can see why someone picking the wrong partner to dance with is not going to get a majestic rose! The golden key is who you choose in life to follow!

With codependency I can choose to follow other people, or things rather than choosing to follow Jesus. I can make an idol out of another person, sport, hobby or job. Rather than focus all my attention and passion on Jesus, I can concentrate all my mind, and body on other people or things. Many people with codependency get side tracked with their own people pleasing addiction or approval addiction and Jesus gets crowded out of the spotlight. But you say, I want to be in control!” So how is that working for you? Let’s see you have asked the creator of the universe to ride in the back seat because you have a better handle on your destiny! Really?????  Here is God’s perspective, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17b If you want the best journey in life, you will follow Jesus! You will follow Jesus in everything!

Let me give you a classic example of a codependent dance scenario. A friend of mine felt like she had met the man of her dreams. She hung on his every word and gesture and talked about him all the time. She seemed obsessed with him. Her friends noticed that she was passionate about the idea of them becoming a couple. Her friends tried to give her a reality check reminding her he didn’t seem like the serious type. Her friends argued he wasn’t good enough for her. She wasn’t interested in reason or facts as she was high on feeling the emotional ties of the relationship. She spent many sleepless nights meditating on their possible relationship. She had fallen for a guy who wasn’t available. It was a one-sided relationship that didn’t go anywhere. She said she was following her heart! She followed him all the way from Georgia to California before she got a wakeup call! He introduced her to his real girlfriend in California! Ouch! That was a major crash and burn moment for her! Think about how much time and energy she had wasted in never never land! Look again at God’s perspective When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

The golden nugget is who you choose in life to follow!

My Ultimate Makeover From A Broken Spirit To A Joyful Heart By Babs Kincaid

            Who doesn’t love a hair makeover? Doesn’t it do something to encourage your mind, body, and spirit! Magically, it lifts your spirit and makes you feel uniquely attractive. It produces a wow factor and an inner confidence that turns heads!

          Let me flip back in time to my personal story to show you how a simple hair makeover transformed my life. In my middle twenties, I was in a bad space. My world was saturated with fear, shame, and anger. I walked around with tremendous baggage from my childhood of hurts, hang-ups, and bad habits. My negative thinking could fill a luxury cruise ship. I was miserable and all my efforts to medicate my pain were a failure. I was so afraid because I daily used marijuana to escape from all my unhappiness. Being high meant I could feel no pain. I felt shameful because I knew what I was doing was wrong but I didn’t have the courage to stop. I was angry because I had grown up with an alcoholic dad who was verbally abusive and made me feel worthless! I felt like I had been cheated out of a positive childhood because of my low self-esteem. I remember walking through the halls of high school looking at the floor because I felt I wasn’t good enough to make eye contact with other students. 

          My secret passion in life was to find love, peace, and joy. My formula for happiness was to seek for love in bars, peace in drugs and joy in self-absorbed men. My life was in the toilet and my best efforts were a colossal disaster. I was so out of touch of how to make healthy choices. I felt trapped in a prison of darkness and hopelessness. I desperately wanted a changed life and freedom from my destructive lifestyle.

          Taking a small leap of faith, I decided the change I needed was to get a hair makeover from a stranger. For me to believe that a hair makeover could drastically change my upside down life was beyond crazy. Why would I ever trust a stranger to restyle my hair? The hairdresser was a sister of a friend and highly recommended. The truth was I was desperate for a miracle. 

          To my surprise, my hairdresser Peggy O'Barr was a single mom who lived in an ordinary apartment but who radiated extraordinary joy. I was captivated by her dazzling joy. I couldn’t figure out what she had to be joyful about. She didn’t even have a boyfriend. Puzzled, I asked her “What is the source of your joy?” Peggy’s response was “Jesus.” That made no sense to me. Mystified, I asked her “Can I have what you have?” Peggy quickly responded “yes.” Intrigued, I asked her “What do I have to do to get what you have?” Peggy told me I didn’t have to do anything but believe. God’s gift is free! She began to tell me the gospel in simple terms. Peggy told me that God loved me and had a plan for my life. She said my sins separated me from God. God didn’t want to live without me so He sent his son Jesus to earth to pay for my sins. Jesus died for me and rose to take away the sins of the world forever. Peggy told me this simple prayer of salvation: 

Heavenly Father….Thank you for sending Jesus to earth.

 Jesus thank you for dying for me.

 Please forgive me for all my sins.

 I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead.

I want you to take control of my life.

 I want to live for you and follow you as my Savior and LORD.

 In Jesus name, Amen.

To my surprise, after I prayed I felt my backpack of fear, shame and anger lift and my heart flood with love, peace, and joy. The next morning, I heard a quiet voice in my heart say “You don’t need to do drugs anymore. I have a higher high for you and it will last forever.” Wow, what a spiritual awakening for me! From that moment on I had no desire to do drugs ever again. That was a huge deliverance for me!!!! I was set free forever!!!!! All I could say was “wow!” “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

My new life in Christ had begun. That was the best day of my life!!!  I am so grateful for Peggy,  my best hairdresser ever who told me the truth that set me free! Peggy will always have a special place in my heart! What Jesus had given me was beyond my wildest dreams!!!!! God gave me oceans of forgiveness, a gift of grace and a future with hope! Jesus said he was called “to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;” Isaiah 61:3 You can have the same ultimate makeover from God. God is eagerly waiting to receive you!

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:1

Beautiful Relationships are Unsurpassed in Love with Builders & Not Bulldozers by Babs Kincaid

Beautiful Relationships Are Unsurpassed In Love

 With Builders & Not Bulldozers

By Babs Kincaid

      I feel that my most cherished friends and family use countless opportunities to build me up in my faith. Some of my favorite blessings are the valuable friendships that I have. My beloved friends and family add so much hope and enrichment to my life. Truly I see them as gifts from God! They have challenged me to overcome my fears and depend solely on God. I would give these positive supporters the worthy title “Builders.” God says it best: “Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Corinthians 14:26b Building others up is a Godly approach to keep your relationships healthy and not alienated.

Since I am a visual person the word builder strikes a distinct image to me of someone who adds value and enrichment to someone or something. Visualize a builder of a house constructing something worthwhile and useful. Picture a bulldozer in your mind. Contrast a builder with a bulldozer. A bulldozer demolishes something and makes it unusable! I have met some people who are quick to tear down people by their harsh criticism or bad behavior! The word bulldozer seems to suit them well! Each day, I have the choice to frame my words to sound like a builder or a bulldozer. I can use my words to destroy others or build them up. I can do the same with my behavior. Consider the wisdom of God in Proverbs 14:1 “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”

        Relationships are really important to God so no wonder he had so much to teach on the subject. God’s word says it best: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews10:24-25 Clearly God wants us to behave like a builder rather than a bulldozer. I once knew a young guy who told me he was in a rocky relationship with a gal who treated him badly. He felt like he was used in the relationship for her selfish desires. He told me he wanted to get revenge and asked my opinion. I said walk away from her. The word says “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 I told him my take on builders and bulldozers. I asked him if he wanted to be remembered by God and others as a builder or a bulldozer. He said: “a builder of course!” So I told him if someone treats you badly move on and seek someone with character and integrity. Before I met my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, I was just like that guy. If a guy treated me badly I would seek revenge big time. When you play the revenge game everyone suffers loss! The Bible is the best guide for relationships: “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:9 Builders finish first and bulldozers self-destruct to finish last! From God’s point of view, “mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13

Would the people you know describe you as a builder or a bulldozer? If someone wrote your biography would this verse “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 define you? Fall in love with the Master Builder Jesus and he will show you the best way!

“God’s Grand Gesture to reach those in the Shadow of Death”

“God’s Grand Gesture to reach those in the Shadow of Death”

by Babs Kincaid

The mastermind beyond all creation, God decided to make the ultimate grand gesture and to reach out to those in the shadow of death. In the Urban Dictionary a grand gesture “usually entails giving up something big in exchange for the gratitude and love of your significant other.” Doesn’t that sound like God sending his one and only beloved son on a mission to a perishing people? Do you not classify that as big? Doesn’t that sound like a supreme sacrifice? Doesn’t that sound like God being born as a baby in a stable? Have you ever heard of a King being born in a stable? All he was missing was a red Merry Christmas bow? For God to wear diapers and learn how to walk and talk just so he could establish a relationship with mankind is a big event!

Jesus left a perfect and loving home in Heaven to come to an imperfect world filled with sin. What an unequal exchange and a vital grand gesture! The word expresses it best, “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

The one whose “origin is from eternity” (Micah 5:2) Jesus consented to leave his royal throne and travel to earth. He left an upright paradise to come to an immoral pit. He left a home of love to enter a loveless society. He left a peaceful environment to visit a restless one. He left a hopeful dwelling to live in a hopeless land. He left a joyful atmosphere to reside in a melancholy one. He left a kingdom  ruled by grace and truth to stay in one ruled by insanity and greed. He left an environment of rejoicing to enter an environment of sorrow. He left a righteous world to stay in a wicked world. He made a decision to participate in an unequal exchange because he was motivated by love and obedience to God. Jesus left a city that has" no sun or  the glory of God illuminates it" (Revelation 21:23) to enter a shadowly land. What extensive compassion Jesus had to consent to give up everything to travel to a place where depravity and darkness reigned supreme..  “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)

         God went to great lengths to rescue us from destroying ourselves. The essence of love, Jesus was sent by God on a mission to show us a better way to live. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus was sent to build a relationship with us. Jesus brought the gift of love which rescues us from our character defects. The word fittingly states “love will cover a multitude of sins.”(1 Peter 4:8b)

Jesus who is also called the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Alpha and Omega, Bright Morning Star, Dayspring, Good Shepherd, Image of the Invisible God, Savior and Light of the World came to offer us the gift of eternal life. Jesus, the faithful and true witness came to help us rewrite our story from defeat to deliverance. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 God allowed Jesus to leave a world of serenity to enter a world of warfare. God was fully aware of the dangers, struggles and pain that would be inflicted on his precious son. Jesus walked in our shoes and overcame all the trials we would ever face. He defeated all the evils we would encounter one by one! Jesus said “in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b No wonder Jesus is called the Savior of the world!

          Jesus couldn’t bear to see you suffer any more so he was sent to open Heaven’s door. Jesus couldn’t bear to see you struggle in life and continue to make repeated wrong choices. God’s original design was for us to walk with him safe and secure from harm. “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain  salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Jesus looked ahead to our salvation even when he endured the cross for us. The word says it best, that Jesus “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,” (Hebrews 12:2a) Jesus was fully committed to see us finish strong believing that we would choose to trust God.   

          So what is my response to God’s grand gesture of sending Jesus to earth? My prayer is that I would grow in love and truth to leave the imprint of Jesus in my wake. My aspiration is to see people through Christ’s eyes. I long to have more gratitude and less attitude. As it is written, I want to “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1) So in short, I want to rise up and shine the light of Christ in this dark world! My heart’s desire is to help others light their candles and shine brightly as well!

Thankful by Babs Kincaid

Photo by NC's most distinguished photographer Alan Ostmann

“Thankful” by Babs Kincaid

Thankful I am safe & secure in God’s love.

Thankful God sealed my salvation from above.

Thankful I can enter God’s peaceful rest.

Thankful that God’s plan was created for my best.

Thankful that God doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve.

Thankful that God’s mercy is an endless reserve.

Thankful for the beautiful majesty of four seasons.

Thankful God’s handiwork is greater than reason.

Thankful God provided family & friends as a great treasure.

Thankful for blessed memories beyond measure.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm107:1