A great early morning on the pond. It's going to be a warm one today and with the Oklahoma wind. It's like a convection oven. Early is the only way to get to enjoy the outdoors.

I was thinking about the scripture, "I will keep you in perfect peace....." I found that the New Living Translation of Isaiah 26:3 gave me even a better understanding. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

The key for me at least is the phrase "trust in you." I can try to keep "positive" scriptures in my thoughts, but they get pushed out by the "issues" of the day. It's when I really get to the root issue, that those great promises sesm to stick. The root issue is trust.

Why is it that we seem to have such difficulty trusting? I understand it as it relates to other people, but not trusting God? 

The One who promised "I will never leave you or forsake you," and He never has. The One who promised "to meet our every need," and He always has. The One who "has a plan for us that is altogether good," and as we discover our destiny, we discover what He said is true.

Today, let's focus on our trust, and then I believe that our thought life will be much easier to manage. It will still take some discipline, but even doing that is part of a promise.

"I can do all things through Christ."

Enjoy this great day that He has made for you.

Enjoy His promises.

Enjoy the life He has promised.

Blessings
PMT

Feelings are so interesting. Certainly God gave them to us. We love them when things are going well, and not so much when they're not. So, how are you doing today? How are your feelings? I'm in So Cal today and it may be my last real visit here as my son and his family are moving to North Carolina. No offense to N.C., but So Cal is one of my all time favorite locations.

I had my last walk with my grand-dog Mac around the lake. I pray that it wasn't my last "In and Out" (now there's one in Dallas). But things change. Life goes on and our feelings run the gamut from "sad to glad."

I have had to deal with other feelings as well, as the aging process continues. Others of you deal with the various seasons of life that you are engaged in. Starting the child-raising issues to the "empty nest." It's all good and we all need to enjoy every season of our lives, but sometimes the feelings get in the way.

I have worked through the years to develop a life based on faith; a life that ultimately trusts God, no matter what. I don't dislike my feelings, but I know from both His Word and my life experiences, that they will change and that if left unchecked they can overly influence my perspective on life and my attitude.

As I encourage myself today, may I also encourage you. Don't suppress your feelings, but don't let them dominate you either. Scripture encourages us to "Walk by faith and not by our feelings." Let's purpose to enjoy the day, enjoy the seasons of life and enjoy that God's plan for us is all good. 

Blessings,

PMT