"Yes, there is NEW CHEESE to be found"

Spencer Johnson, MD, Who Moved My Cheese, says "Imagining myself eating new cheese even before I find it, leads me to it."  A good friend of mine once told me that the best way to catch fish is to go fishing.  I know, I know...it sounds shallow, but there is truth in the statement.

Many times it is just easier to give up than to go through the trouble.  I think the biggest tragedy is to live out our lives unfulfilled.

The secret is this and it's no secret at all.  Jesus said, "I am the way..." (John 14:6).  My discovery as of late is this one fact...The "Cheese" (that which makes me fulfilled and happy) is not new or different.  It's the same, JESUS. Jesus never moved or disappeared.  It was me who allowed myself to take my eyes off "The Way."  I do not have to imagine myself eating "new cheese" even before I find it.  I have found Him.  And more importantly, Jesus has found me.

I now feast at the banquet table of the Lord everyday!  My "job" or "career" does not define me.  It is the fact there is a personal relationship, and I am getting stronger every single day.

Trust in the Lord always,

Have a great day,

CW

FREEDOM

The bible teaches us not to worry!  Worry can in fact slow us down.  I have preached many sermons on the subject.  The thing about preachers (unfortunately, most will not admit it) is fear is and continues to be a plague of unlimited proportions.  And it is easy not to practice what you preach, and it is especially true of the subject of worry.
Personally, worry has been a major problem for me and still is at times.  The fear of people not liking me has been a driving force for many years.  It's no wonder I have crashed on occasion.  The bible is very clear we are not to be "men" pleasers, but to please God in all we do.  God is teaching me much during my "sabbatical" and I certainly do feel blessed.  I am spending much more time with God and am so thankful for this time in my life.

Those of you who know me know I am a big sci-fi nut.  (Some would say I'm a big nerd).  I'm reminded of the Star Wars movies at this point.  Yoda said this: Fear is the path to the dark side.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Spencer Johnson, M.D., Who Moved My Cheese? says "When you move beyond your fear you feel free."

So I adhere to the following promises from God's Word.  If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31) and The Lord is for me.  I will not fear: What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6)

Guess what?  I am feeling more and more free every single day!!  How awesome is that for living life? God is working a marvelous work.  You just wait and see!!

Have a great day!!

CW

New Direction to Find "Cheese"

You have heard the statement and I have made it too, "Change for the sake of change is never a good idea."  Guess what?  I don't believe that anymore.  There are times, I believe, change for the sake of change may be good for the soul. 

Not too many years ago there was a movie about making "bucket lists."  Wow!  Just about everyone was making their list of things they wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket."  It was a popular trend for a few years after the release of the movie.  However, I never made one at the time.  I surmise that many who did were unfulfilled in their lives and found strength to accomplish things they have always dreamed of doing.  In some ways I guess it's selfish, but I don't think it is completely.  As I said earlier, I believe change can be good for the soul.  Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, says, you cannot go with God and stay where you are.  It means more than just physically - it means there must be a transformation or as Paul states, renewing of the mind.

I have found my running shoes and fixing to head down those paths in the maze.  Oh, I know I will not be by myself.  God is leading me to fulfillment and joy.

On my mark, get set......I'll keep you informed...

Have a great day,

CW

"Smell the Cheese Often"

"Smell the cheese often so you know when it's getting old."  I had always thought of myself as innovative and open to knew and "cutting edge" ideas.  Wow, when did I get old? Not in years, but ideas and methodology.  I never saw it coming because my "cheese" was gradually shrinking and getting old and one day it was gone.  What was left was the smell of "moldy," "old," and "rotting" "cheese." 

Sometimes in life many of us, myself included, become comfortable with the status quo and accept things the way they are and always have been.  I took my eyes off that which has always brought me joy and everything changed when I looked again.  I should have saw the signs a long time ago.  Oh, I'm not beating myself up over this change, I am looking for my running shoes to get back out into the maze of life and begin searching for that which will bring me joy and I can make a difference.  Mazes are filled with many dead ends, but there are those pathways that go forever.  I'm glad I have Christ in my life because God's word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Ps. 119:105. 

2013 was a year of change - 2014 will be a year of discovery. 

Have a great day,

CW