Between You and God

God is often referred to as the Light. In John 8:12, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am the Light of the world." Then in Chapter 12:46, He continues, "I am the light that has come into the world so that everyone who believes in me will not live in darkness." I often associate rays of sunlight with God's radiance shining upon us. Without God there would be only darkness. Imagine a mirror and it's ability to reflect light.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Every situation that enters our lives does so with the knowledge of the Divine. In each, we are assigned the role of either teacher or student, and at times both. Every encounter with another affords us the opportunity to share our knowledge with them so that what has enriched our life has the potential to do the same for them. In some circumstances...This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Life is filled with clichés that people adopt as truths without giving them careful consideration for their validity. One common belief is that life is short and therefore should be lived to the fullest. Make the most of life while you can because in a blink of an eye it will be gone and all that will remain is death, a nothingness, a void, a non-existence. This belief is responsible for a deep rooted fear many people have in regards to the end of life experience.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

I stood in line behind four young adults, all of whom had varying degrees of disabilities. With the assistance of their caregivers, each carefully chose items for purchase and were being instructed to place them on the conveyor belt in preparation of payment. The cashier, a tall well groomed young man no more than nineteen years of age, smiled patiently as each customer placed and paid for their items. His eyes revealed that for him it was truly an honor and joy to be assisting his customers.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

How often do you pray to God: every day, once in awhile, when you need a favor or never? It's been my experience that the majority of prayers are those of petition, that is, they seek a favor from God. Many are well intentioned, seeking assistance for a good cause or healing for one in need. Then there are those frivolous prayers such as wanting to win the lottery, often accompanied with a plea deal: "If I win I promise to donate half to the poor." But most treasured prayer is the TAG Prayer:This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Our misguided love for another or sense of purpose can easily sent us into a downward spiral of despair when our plans are suddenly interrupted. Redefining who we are ("I'm no longer this person's spouse: I am now their widow or ex.") can be debilitating and terrifying. One runs the risk of losing their identity and their reason to live. While it may sound like a romantic theme from a Hollywood blockbuster, designing our lives around our relationship to our love interest can backfire.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

What kind of God blesses some of His children and not all or some more than others? If you look, it's easy to find those who appear to receive more from God than others. We are well aware of those who work as hard as their neighbor but fall short of reaping similar successes. Could it be that our Heavenly Father has favorites or that His destiny for some is that of pain and hardship rather than abundance? For certainly, there seems to be a discrepancy in the distribution of His mercy.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Most of us are familiar with the acronym, TGIF: "Thank God It's Friday". For some it also conjures up images of sumptuous foods served in a family style restaurant. I'm as big a fan as any of the last day of the week but probably not as much for the eating establishment. As of late, TGIF has taken on a new meaning for me: it stands for ...This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Go onto social media and you'll find posts claiming that "God is in control." Very often this sentiment is designed to offer hope to those who feel they have been treated unfairly, fear terrorists groups, or for family members struggling with a life-threatening condition. "God is in control" sends a message of faith and hope: "Don't worry. God will take care of it or those who are causing the problems. God will provide."But the phrase "God's in control" is misleading:This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

When I was growing up we valued the opinions of others. If someone liked you, you felt good about yourself and if they didn't you needed to take a hard look at what was "wrong" with you. The pendulum has since swung to the other extreme: people no longer care what others think of them. "My opinion of myself is all that matters." Yet in reality, it's not their opinion that matters nor my own. The only opinion that has relevance is...This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Have you ever been in the presence of an angel? Look around you: there is an overabundance of hell on this earth. We are desperately in need of more angels and each of us has the potential and opportunities to be angels for one another. Hear my story of my angel in a white pickup truck.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could change the nature of our relationships that are troublesome: an ex who continually argues with us a sibling in competition to outshine us, ? Lord knows, we've tried! We know that we cannot, nor do we have a right to, change anyone. Change will only occur if and when the individual desires it and is ready to implement it. So what does one do in the meantime short of severing all interactions with an offensive party?This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Recently, we suffered a power-outage so I took candles from my kitchen cupboards and placed them in the rooms we intended to use. I lit a match and put it to the wick of the first candle. Immediately, the flame engaged the fiber and light infused the room. The light produced from subsequent flames intensified and permeated each room, illuminating shadowy corners and eliminating obscurity. As I sat in the soft glow of candlelight, I began to reflect upon how life can be mirrored by the flame.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

At some point, generally when our time in the physical world has come to an end, we will be up for The God Review. We will stand before the Father who will judge us on how we lived our lives. However, it may not be in the matters we imagined.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

I have a love/hate relationship with mirrors. I care what I look like and it's nice when others notice. But it's even more rewarding when others comment on my attributes - qualities I've taken time to develop over the years. As much as we all appreciate compliments, we are too quick to point out the flaws of others. But what if we acted like mirrors and reflected back to them the God-ness within that is who they truly are rather than their outward appearance or behaviors? Imagine the impact!This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

In each of our lives, we have what Oprah refers to as "Ah-ha" moments: those instances where we experience a profound truth that oftentimes transforms our lives. Some people also refer to these enlightening occurrences as "God winks". Regardless of the moniker, it is critical to give careful thought to the messages for they may very well alter our lives in a profound way.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

There are many who argue the validity of the Bible claiming that because it was written decades after the death of Jesus it cannot be fully accurate. Certainly some portions may not be interpreted accurately as 2,000 years ago the language was somewhat different than what is spoken today and some words held different meanings. Do not agonize over the specifics of the Bible. One need not memorize Scripture in order to follow God's directives precisely. One only needs to remember these 9 words:This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

If you engage on social media you will see a lot of posts for prayers for all sorts but undoubtedly the one most prevalent is that for world peace. Most people are concerned about the safety of our planet and are willing to at least petition God to bring about peace. Praying for peace is admirable but actively living peace is far more praiseworthy. I must make my life a living prayer, actively doing what I am asking God to do for me.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

I am a firm believer that God rewards all good deeds. In my own life I have been blessed more times than I can count. Many years ago I began becoming more aware of all of the blessings God was granting me each day. I took notice of even the smallest gifts that for many go unnoticed and unappreciated. Recently I discovered another source of gratitude: indirect blessings.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Last week I went to the post office to purchase stamps. Ahead of me was a woman mailing a package. As the worker tended to the customer, the woman, engaging in a cell phone conversation, curtly responded as necessary. The mail person was becoming agitated. Rudeness is rarely well received yet she managed to maintain her professionalism. Oblivious to her behavior, the woman concluded their transaction and left. This was a perfect opportunity for me, I thought.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Not everyone is privy to knowing precisely what their destiny is on Earth. Uncertainty has a way of redirecting us down paths that impede realizing our ultimate goals. Time that could have been put to more productive use can never be recaptured. People struggling to make up for lost time often feel disadvantaged and lose hope. But what if you were told, the moment you were old enough to understand, what the purpose of your life was?This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Remember years ago when designers created a line of clothing labeled "one size fits all"? It consisted primarily of non form fitting apparel. It was financially cost effective to produce only one size of each design as opposed to multiples of each. But, a person of my stature, petite, would not reasonably fill out an item of clothing also designed to fit someone three times my weight and five inches taller. One size really doesn't fit all. But every rule has it's exception.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

We've all familiar with the phrase, "God never gives us more than we can handle." It implies that He places challenges in our lives so that we may push ourselves beyond our limiting beliefs and realize our full potential. Now consider that this belief may not be truth at all. Maybe there are times when God gives to us excessively. But what would cause Him to burden our lives to the point where we become hopeless or despondent? In such times as these...This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Anthony is not different from most 5 year olds: he adores his mother. There is no one who captures his heart quite the way she does. Recently he asked her to help him write "I love you" on a piece of paper. Knowing how he feels about her, she was not surprised by his request. But what he asked for next totally astonished her. "Can you tape it to the back of my shirt?" he inquired. "Why do you want me to do that?" He replied, "So that when I walk away, you'll still know how much I love you."This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Those who remain spiritually connected to our Heavenly Father feel secure knowing they are never alone, that there is One more knowledgeable, powerful than they who every day affords them the guidance and protection they deserve. Those who severe that connection more often struggle with fear and anxiety, feeling helpless and insecure, lost and alone. They are at risk for being lead down the path of temptation, being kidnapped by evil, or being inflicted with diseases of the mind, body, and soul.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Many of us are not fully aware of who we are and what the extent of our abilities are. Even with supportive people in our lives who encourage us to try new adventures, praise us of our accomplishments, and push us to achieve more, we still doubt ourselves. We have not yet fully grasp the complete essence of who we really are. Squirrels, on the other hand, don't doubt their abilities as they instinctively know they full capabilities.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

How often have you had warm thoughts about someone but didn't take the time to express them? Or you shared your sentiments with everyone but the intended individual? Too often the warm thoughts we have about others are rarely expressed to them.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

All married couples have issues with their spouses. We promise to love and cherish them for the remainder of our lives, then complain when they're not exactly who we want them to be. Most spouses secretly want their partner to be more like them even though they won't admit it. Or at the very least, they'd like them to change their ways to conform to the other person's methods.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

The Bible is filled with passages addressing the issues of justice and revenge. Romans 12:19 tells us, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'.” This passage can be somewhat confusing as vengeance can be defined as retribution revenge and/or justice. But God cannot be a God of getting even for that contradicts His very nature.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Are you a nice person, kind and generous, thoughtful and easy going? You are probably someone who exemplifies the Beatitudes. "Blessed are the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers." Jesus' message is undeniable: we are holiest when we are humble and merciful, pure in heart; when we are meek. But what does it mean to be meek? Many confuse this with weakness. It is not.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

The teacher conducted an experiment in her first grade class without the children knowing. Two by two, she took her students into the cafeteria and sat them next to each other. In each of their hands she placed a closed Styrofoam box containing a snack. The first child opened his box to find several pieces of fruit. The other child did the same but found the container empty.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Majuli Island in India was once a flourishing oasis of wildlife until people began cutting down large numbers of its trees. In a short period of time, the land became barren. One resident, Jadev Payeng, was deeply saddened at the site of his once lush paradise of vegetation and wildlife now diminished to a veritable wasteland. As his villagers lamented the fate of their land, Jadev took it upon himself to do something productive.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

In Deuteronomy 14:2, God said to the Jews "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." For generations, people have misinterpreted this to mean that God favored those of the Jewish heritage over His other children but in truth, we are all chosen.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

We have all become reliant on our computers to obtain information on a wide variety of subjects. We seek advice on topics ranging from nutrition to removing stains from our clothing, to car repairs and matters of the heart. Trying to decipher which information or person to follow can prove risky at times. Yet I have found a foolproof method of obtaining right answers each and every time I seek them:This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

People can be nasty and unkind. It's easy to have thoughts of revenge. Yet God instructs us that if someone slaps you on the right cheek turn to them the other cheek as well. We are told to refrain from retaliation, even of the verbal genre. Some remain silent in order to keep from being rude. Others walk away and still others believe it is best to kill 'em with kindness. However, this notion of overly extending kindness is counter-productive and actually contradicts God's message.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Humans hold on to a lot: families, money, possessions, beliefs. It's difficult to let go of what we care about. One of the most difficult notions to let go of are grudges: the anger and resentment we feel towards others who have let us down, betrayed us or failed to keep their promises. Humans can be easily offended by the thoughtless actions of others and many are determined to preserve those judgments indefinitely. But holding on to grudges is incredibly self-defeating and exhausting.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Canines are not unlike the human species: they are often mistreated and hurt by the very people who were entrusted to care for them. Some are starved, others left in uninhabitable conditions to fend for themselves; still others are used for cruelty sports such as dog fighting. Whether physical or emotional, they bear the scars of their painful pasts and are fearful of those they encounter. Antisocial behaviors keep them safe from further harm. So it is with humans.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

I often feel God's voice speak to me in the form of a nudge - that pulling of one's heart strings, a feeling of being compelled to perform a spontaneous act of kindness. If given the opportunity to rationalize the invitation, one can easily talk themselves out of following through for a whole host of reasons that sound quite rational. But why do we hesitate, questioning our Lord? Have we not yet learned that when He makes a request of us it is always for our higher good?This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

People proudly boast that they live life on their own terms. No one will tell them what they can or cannot do. But an air of false confidence masks a truth of selfishness. Let me explain. Our lives are made up of choices. Each day, all day, we make decisions that will be in our best interest. We also realize that our decisions impact the lives of those around us. But do we ever consider, or are we even able to know, the full impact of how our lives influence humanity on a global level?This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Last week, I had the pleasure of watching 2 of my grandchildren. We went to a park where we played a game. The youngest pretended to be a lost dog who we recently found. As I questioned how he got lost, he began his detailed explanation. Hiking one day with his mommy, she was killed by rattlesnakes. "How sad," I said, "that your mommy died." "It's ok," he replied. "She's in Heaven and Heaven is a very fine place." Yes, it is, I thought. But have any of us ever considered how fine it really is?This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

In Matthew 5:9 we are told "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God." Who among us would not want to be assigned the moniker of being peacemaking child of the Most High God? For most of my life, I was the one to keep the peace. But there are risks involved for being one who remains silent in the face of injustice. I discovered that sometimes it's more Christian-like to be an "un" peacemaker.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).

Have you ever driven down a road that was under construction? Typically the crew will have a cautionary sign stating, "Men at work." This alerts drivers to slow down their vehicles in order to protect those servicing the roadways. It seems as though no matter where you go, there are always men (and women) at work. What we build needs care and repair from time-to-time. Even you and I, in our frailty, need the care and repair of our brother, Jesus.This show is brought to you by Talk 4 Radio (http://www.talk4radio.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (http://www.talk4media.com/).