Psalm 107:5-6

Hungry and thirsty, their life was wasting away within them. They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits he rescued them.

Jesus said that He is the vine…and we are the branches. When we sever our connection to the Giver of Life we wither. Staying connected with the living Christ is essential through the reading of scripture and silent reflection. If we do this we will receive prompts from God on decisions in life. I at one time was “hungry and thirsty” with my life seemingly “wasting away” within me. I did cry out to the Lord in my distress…and as I look back now…I see clearly how God rescued me! Have faith…and trust that God will lead you to wholeness! This is Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Singing My Song” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Psalm 51:12

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Sometimes we can be on a spiritual high when everything seems to be going right and we seem to be in that “zone” where it just couldn’t get any better! It’s also during these times when it seems so easy to slip and fall…when we somehow get cocky and believe we are somehow spiritually ahead of others. When this happens…don’t beat yourself up over it. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you back to God! Jesus said that He came for sinners…not the self-righteous! Jesus still wants to be with you! You don’t save you…Jesus does…and He loves doing it! Your life is not about you…but about God. This is really Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Come to Jesus” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Matthew 20:1

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.”

The parable of the landowner and his workers completely subverts our concept of fairness. The workers hired at nine in the morning to work in the landowner’s vineyard get the same pay as those hired at noon, three o’clock and five. The ones hired at nine grumble about the unfairness. The truth is…they need a new way of seeing to understand God’s generosity! Jesus says God is willing to give full benefits of the kingdom of God whenever a person is ready to receive it! Why would we begrudge anyone who comes into the kingdom? We should be extremely happy for that person! There is no “first” or “last” in the kingdom of God! It’s all gift! This is extremely Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”How Wonderful to Me” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Matthew 19:29-30

“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

When we let go of all our attachments to follow Jesus…we enter truly into the present moment and “Presence.” Nothing is interfering with our openness to God. This “eternal moment” brings us into the kingdom of God where God’s dream for us can be known! In that place…there is no such thing as being first…or being last. All are equal and one. That is really Good News! It’s what God wants! Do we?

Suggested song of the day—”Breathe On Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Suggested song of the day–”I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Ezekiel 16:62-63

For I will re-establish my covenant with you, that you may know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord God.

We are all part of a great Love story! God is the unconditional lover. The objects of God’s Love…human beings…have been betraying that Love since the very beginning. And yet…God remains faithful! God pursues us relentlessly from the very beginning…saying, “I love you! Return to Me. I love you!” How many times have we experienced the Love of the Great Compassion (God)? How many times…have we slipped and turned away? How many times have we been “utterly silenced for shame” when God pardons us again…and again…and again? Take a few moments and try to comprehend such an Amazing Love? This is really Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Come to Jesus” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

It is truly the key to the kingdom of heaven. Forgiveness opens the gates of the kingdom and channels it into the present. It is the only way into the eternal kingdom. Forgiveness frees us from chains that shackle us. You may not be able to like the person who wronged you or even be around that person…but you must forgive that person and wish them well. And while you are at it…forgive yourself for whatever it is you are refusing to let go of. Jesus gave us the ultimate example on the cross. He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Accept that forgiveness, pass it on, and be free! It’s the way to salvation and wholeness. That’s Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Salvation” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

God is not a genie granting our every wish. God is our Father and Mother rolled into one! What parent would simply give their son or daughter whatever they asked for? Parents give their children what is best for them. Who would know what’s best for us better than God would? When we pray…are we asking from our self-centered egos’ interests? Or…are we asking from a God-centered self in unison with the Holy Spirit that God’s will would be done for us? After all, isn’t that what would ultimately be best for us? When we pray in this manner together…watch for wonders to occur! This is Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Shall We Sing” on the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

John 12:25-26

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.”

Most of us don’t like change. But to be a Christian we must change. It requires letting go of our egos’ desires so that we can make room for Christ to grow in us. We cannot just be fans of Jesus. We must follow Him! That will mean certain ways of ours will have to change. It will require some painful transitions…taking the road less traveled. The payoff will be inner-peace, making a positive difference in the world and experiencing a taste of the kingdom of God! That is really Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.

Matthew 17:22-23

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

Sometimes life is hard. Things happen that cause us to suffer. There are all kinds of theories as to why…but it remains a mystery. However, we know this: Jesus suffered and He is God. That means God suffered with Him. God suffers with us. Jesus poured out His life in acts of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion without condition or lines of division. He showed us that ultimately…death leads to New Life! So does each episode of suffering we experience…if we cling to Jesus who is more than willing to help us carry our crosses! That is Good News!

Suggested song of the day—”Salvation” on the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes icon in the upper-right corner.