This Round's On Me

When I was in college (GO KNIGHTS) my freshman year, I started the semester still 17 years old. On top of that, I didn’t have the rugged, Walker Texas Ranger looks that I have now. I was a baby-faced boy with braids weighing about 145-150lbs with my book bag on. So, it was no surprise that even after my 18th birthday, I still looked very much like a freshman…in high school.

I can remember attending an event where a plethora of drinks were made available since it took place off campus. I had never had an alcoholic beverage in my life, and I wasn’t going to start then (that’s an entirely different blog for another time). Even though I wasn’t planning on having any drinks, all the glasses, on the tables and elsewhere, were wine glasses! As the server approached, my voice which had recently been incarcerated in prepubescent prison, squeaked, “Can I get a cranberry juice?”

Harmless right?

Seemingly so. At least until I took a drink. No, it didn’t contain anything other than cranberry juice. However, someone did take a photo. I saw the photo and it looked ok, so I figured I’d put it on my newly minted Facebook page.

Still harmless, right?

Well, I also ran track, and an athlete drinking (and getting caught) was a no no. It's a good thing I didn't. I came to find out that a wine glass, half filled with cranberry juice, doesn't always look like a glass half filled with cranberry juice!

As you can tell, I didn't know much about this topic back then and still don't today, but like many, I've heard the lingo (yay movies!!!). Phrases like "Shaken not stirred," "On the rocks," or  "Straight, no chaser" are all common for the pros and James Bond characters.

Imagine coming before God and asking for a blessing, and then giving Him the recipe for it! I wonder how well that would go over.

"Lord, I didn’t ask for my blessings on the rocks. Take them back and bring me a new one."
 
"Keep your gifts, God, if they're going to be shaken or stirred"

Perhaps this is because we want our blessings straight with no work required. We want the gifts of God without doing our part. What is the root of this? Is it laziness? Is it unwillingness? I think it can be both of those things, but could it also be fear?

In Joshua 1:9, we read:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Sometimes, when God makes us an offer or promise, we fail to attain it or do our part because we are afraid to try, or we are afraid of failing. Other times, we don’t know what we are afraid of.

Just like with Joshua, God has also commanded us not to be afraid. He has done this, not because of our capabilities, but because of the promise he ends the verse with, "…the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

We don't don’t have to be afraid to do our part for God because He never intended for us to do it alone. All the blessings mentioned in Joshua 1:1-9 have "I" first, then "you." The work is initiated by God and also completed by Him. We just have to do our part! (He's there too!) 

Written by Lt. Darell Houseton
Newark Ironbound Corps

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Count Your Blessings

In preparation for a garage sale, I recently went through boxes stored in my basement. In one of those boxes, I came across my high school yearbooks. I took a moment to pause and look at my senior portrait. I reminisced a bit about that year and what has transpired since. 

The first thought I had was, "Wow, was I really that young?" I then started thinking about all the places I had been and things I had done since that photo was taken. I realized that while I had one idea of how my life would go, God had another.

I have continued to ponder this over the past few weeks and, while I shouldn't be, I am amazed at how good God's plan for my life has been. I have been blessed beyond measure with a wife who takes me for who I am without judgment and for three wonderful sons who are growing in their relationships with God. Don't get me wrong; I'm not always as positive about what's going on in my life as I am at the moment, but I cling to Exodus 15:2 (NASB) -

"The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him."

And, when times are especially tough, I remember the chorus of Song #396 in The Salvation Army Songbook (http://bit.ly/1rUmNLp) -

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Perhaps, today, you are struggling with life and feeling overwhelmed. Why not pause, take a breath and count your blessings? It just may surprise you to see what God has done in your life!

Written by Richard Pease
Divisional Controller

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