Just Brillo Pad It?

My friend Robin made a funny comment to me that has not left my mind. I want to share it. She was surfing the internet and came across some photos she really did not want to see. She immediately thought to herself, "man, I wish I had a Brillo pad to scrub those images out of head." Did you find the humor? Isn't that what you and I wish too?
I've seen images off the television on commercials and on television shows that I just wanted to Brillo pad it. Yuck, now what DO we do with those images?  Recently the buzz on television and the internet has been the Miley Cyrus issue. I do not know what that is about as I've been making sure I don't have to use a Brillo pad on my forehead. However, this could be your question on the issue, 'what do I do now?'
Well, since you cannot Brillo pad your thoughts like you want to, you can take every thought captive and change what you are thinking about.
Jesus says we ought think on things that are true, honest, right, pure, lovely, good report / praise worthy, and virtue. I think Jesus knew we would one day desire to erase the things we see or even hear and that is why He has told us such things. Now, is it easy to do? Absolutely not, at least not in our own power,  but with God it is possible.  Take the opportunity to tell Him what your thinking, He knows already, and then ask Him to help you with thinking on those things listed in Philippians 4:8.
You might be surprised how He changes your ungodly images to glorious ones.

~Be encouraged, you are not alone with wanting to erase images from your thought process.

Ready For A Ride?

Spending time with your friends is a certain treat. Whether you are having a cup of coffee and talking, sitting by the pool drinking a cup of lemonade, or reading the same book and having a detailed conversation about the contents. But what happens when the good times aren't so good? How do you handle things when your friend gets upset with you and speaks negative things about you to others?  How do you handle things when the times just get difficult and hurtful, but they won't let you in? 

I recently went through a very difficult time in my life that left me feeling insecure about a friendship of mine. However, in the midst of my time with the Lord, He gave me a vision and words to live by as I went through my struggles. 

I imagined a huge yellow raft with thick and wide handles on the sides and I was sitting in this tube. The water under me and before me was raging wild. There was no rope coming from the rocks or trees on either side of me, just the water and raft. The Lord spoke to me and said, "You will go through tough times, but the waters you are in will not over take you, nor will you drown in them."  Sure enough the troubles came with a friend of mine and as I went through tears and hurt, my mind immediately went to the visual and words God spoke to me. The ride was for a short time and I did not drown. In fact, the next day I was blessed by my friend I had troubles with and God brought a few fresh friends in my path that encouraged me through prayer also.

~Be encouraged my friend, though we struggle with people or situations on our journey, God is our provider and protector. He is the One we should hold onto as we go through our struggles.  The sad truth is that we do not grab a hold of Him and we grab onto others and get deeper into our troubles.

  

Isaiah 43:2a

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.