Reality Check with Ann Downing...

More and more my favorite day of the week is Monday. I know, I know, I know.  All my life, I've heard it referred to as "Blue Monday." I guess, if I'm being honest, when I was a kid in school and heard Mama calling me really early for breakfast on a Monday morning after two days of sleeping late, I wasn't so "in love" with that day of the week, either. Now, I see Mondays as an opportunity to "do it" again and hopefully "do it" better... maybe make a new memory, finish up that nagging detail left over from last week, make new commitments, take a good look at where I'm going. Are we thankful for the opportunity let Him do a new thing in our lives?  God's Word does say that His mercies are new every morning.  I think I believe his mercies are REALLY new every Monday morning! Happy Monday to all!  May we always be open to "doing it again and doing it better."

You probably know Ted Giannoulas even if you've never heard his name.  He was the San Diego Chicken for 30 plus years.  He originated the character as a college student, but Ted grew older.  At age 50, being the chicken was his life and whole identity.  Ted was never photographed unless he was in costume.  No one knew the real Ted.  At first, he loved his alter ego, "I discovered an untapped personality in that suit.  It was like I had freedom.  I was no longer Ted." But... there was a price to pay.  Ted himself said, "I have plenty of Chicken stories.  I'm afraid I don't have any Ted stories." Many people live a lifetime being someone God didn't intend them to be.  They lose themselves in other things and fail to discover their true identity in Christ.  Can we really experience God's best... the individual He created us to be... if we are unsure of who we are in Him?  Being "in" Christ is the ultimate identity.  ...

I find it so refreshing when someone is encouraging instead of trying to "top" your situation or circumstances.  It happens quite often on Facebook, but it didn't start with Facebook. For example...  When someone has a death in their family, they don't need to hear how your loved one passed away... or worse still... how God saved your loved one from the same disease, illness, or type of accident.  Oh yes, I witness these kinds of posts on Facebook more times than I care to discuss.  I haven't even mentioned the posts telling these broken-hearted individuals that they shouldn't grieve "because their loved one is in a better place."  Let's not forget, Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, and He already knew that the power of God the Father would call Lazarus back from the dead. Would it not be better to simply offer a pat on the back or a hug and maybe the words, "I love you and care that you're hurting and sad."? It is amazing h...