Reality Check with Ann Downing...

May I remind myself, and you can hear it, too, it's more or less a mockery to the "keeping power" of God to say over and over and over again, "I just don't know what I'm gonna do!!!" Of course, when we're scared and in crisis mode, much of what we say is actually the fear and uncertainty speaking; we're not really living in those things we say.  The choice is always there, will I believe what I'm feeling right now, or will I remember and live in my faith that HE has a plan... that HE knows where all of this is going, that HE has prepared a way of escape, a pathway to peace and an eternal life with HIM.  When we don't know what to do, it is always the right thing to trust, by faith, that keeping power of God. "I don't know what this day holds, but I know YOU." (I Know You written by Dianne Wilkinson and Ann Downing)

One of my first songs to co-write was "Learning to Trust a Trustworthy God."  The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 happened shortly after Marty Funderburk and I finished the song... in fact, I'd just started staging it. One Sunday morning, as I was introducing the song, the thought hit me that maybe one of the reasons Marty and I wrote the song was to remind us all how important it is to continually be longing and learning to trust a God Who is indeed trustworthy. It's easy to trust God when things are running smoothly, isn't it?  In hard times, it's all about building our trust in a God Who can keep us steady, even in a level of peace, when the world around us crashes down.  Should we wait until the hard stuff happens to begin trusting?  No, of course not!  We should purposefully seek His help in building our faith and trust for those future days, believing in His unseen plan and not in the circumstances of today.

I shudder to think how many times I've stopped short of completing my goal, failed to keep a commitment, let fear of failure cause me to give up. I don't know why the "out there" can sometimes seem so "doable"... so "possible", and yet, as the journey continues, it isn't as easy to keep marching toward the goal as it was to commit in the beginning. What a shame! My sweet niece, Scarlett, who has suffered more losses than most anybody I've ever known, once said to me, "I know I'm gonna make it, Aunt Ann, but right now it seems to be an awfully long way from here to there."  I knew what she meant.  We don't lose our faith; sometimes it just helps to be reminded that "out there" is still there no matter what things look like today.  Let's keep reminding each other that we can live in victory today because He is already "out there".

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...

I love snow.  I love it when I can get out and drive around in it so I can see the winter-coated beauty of God's creation.  Admittedly, I'm not all that keen about walking or driving on ice (who is!), but snow is fun.  While it's terribly difficult to drive or walk on ice, the powdery white stuff is gritty enough that tires and boots can grip.  I've got snow this week! Lord, help me not to forget that it is always better to keep a grip on you.  Remind me that when I find I'm slipping and sliding, I've likely lost sight of You and landed in something other than Your best for me.  Help me stay attached to You, Lord.  Help me get a grip!