Wow. It was one of those deep chest inhales of fresh mountain air that makes you go, “Ahh,” with a smile on your face. I went out this morning on a walk-talk with Jesus just after it had finished raining, which brought out the fresh smells of the pine trees and the wet ground. You could even hear the calming sound of the creek water running along side the road.
It was a great way to start off the day. The freshness reminded me that each day is a fresh new day to give thanks for who the Lord is, especially on a Monday, which is always a hard day to get started.
Remember that you not only get a fresh start each Monday, but each opportunity is a fresh start to choose to draw closer to and become more like Jesus. Take a deep breath. Hear the calming voice of Jesus. Then choose to go, “Ahh,” as you enjoy a closer walk with Jesus and victory over your drug of choice.
Set “FREE” Nowww

I’ve got houses with dogs on almost every street where I walk and talk with Jesus. One night while walking, I let them get to me…bad. I’d bark back at them, which only made them bark all the louder. I know, smart move on my part. It was just that all the barking was getting under my skin and I simply reacted.
On another night time walk and talk, it was the same houses, same dogs, same barking; yet this time, I simply laughed. Their insistent barking didn’t bother me, let alone keep me from enjoying my walk-talk with Jesus.
It was the same situation; yet the results were totally different. Why? It was what was going on inside of me that matter. I was wrestling with something one night while the next time I passed by their howling, I was in a different place…mentally.
Sometimes the chains that prevent us from being free are more mental than physical. Jesus set us free. Why, then, do we let others keep us in chains? Our reaction (using our drug of choice or experiencing a sense peace) to life (like barking dogs) is based upon where our focus is – inner thinking or physical stimuli. Choose Jesus. Laughter is indeed good medicine.
Set “FREE” Nowww

No, I’m not one of those who start talking about Christmas before Thanksgiving. I’m talking about the seasons that I’m experiencing right now in Colorado. The aspen and maple trees are turning beautiful shades of deep red and bright yellow. It’s pure joy to take the walk and talks with my Jesus here.
The picture aspen grove has trees right next to each other, where some have dropped their leaves while others are still crammed full. They are probably from the same root; and yet, are reacting to the weather completely different.
As a child of God, be comfortable in the skin God gave you. As His workmanship, you don’t get to create who you are. This is the sole prerogative of the King. It’s your job to accept how He’s made you and then follow wherever He leads. It’s pure joy to operate how He made you, not how He created someone else.
Just as some trees shed their leaves at different times, you’ll bear fruit at different times than other believers. You are a secure, valuable child of God. It’s okay to be who He made you, a valuable lesson from this time of year.
“S”et Free Nowww

Why does God call Himself Yehovah or I AM? Cutting to the chase for today’s entry is this: He lives in the now, not the past or the future. Yes, another title for Jesus is “I am who is, who was and who is to come.” Yet, time has no limitations on God as He created it and lives in and outside of it at the same time. Go wrap your head around that one.
Yet for today think on this: He is. He lives in the now and teaches us to do the same. Why? To do otherwise gets us into deep trouble! Psalm 37:8 states, “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it only leads to evil.” The word for “fret” here means getting all worked up by focusing on what you can’t control – the actions of others – past, present or future.
Life is not about living, but a series of opportunities to choose to enjoy your walk with Jesus today as you become more like Him. You can’t control what others do or don’t do, but as a child of God, you do control your choices whether or not to trust Jesus.
Verse 9 goes on to say, “Those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.” Victory over your drugs of choice, peace of mind, feeling wanted, doing something significant and meaningful with your life, or whatever it is you’re searching for in life can only be found by placing your hope in the fact that God’s way of living will pay off in the end.
Life is not about what is coming next. This mind sets only leads to trouble in the present. Practice living with Jesus, the great I AM, by focusing on Him and putting His truths into action today.
“S”et Free Nowww

After years of fighting it, I’ve finally given my daily schedule to Jesus. When I got back from vacation, I stopped living by my set of to-do lists. Instead, I’ve been asking Him each day to put my daily task list together.
This has been both frustrating and freeing at the same time. Jesus said His yoke is easy. Meaning, what He has for me to do each day can be done for and accomplished with Him. My list often leaves me harried and extremely frustrated as it always seems that I have more tasks than day to get them done.
His list is freeing as there is always enough day for the tasks – even with the interruptions that come along – that He has for me. On a practical level, as I’m learning this lesson, you might not receive these insights into God’s life-change process either on Facebook, my website or in your in-box from Monday to Friday as planned.
Yesterday was a prime example. Due to all my discipleship appointments – both scheduled and unscheduled – my day shot by before I could blink. It was an awesomely rewarding day, full of significance, minus the frustration. And yet, I literally didn’t have the time or energy to write and publish.
I’m being transparent here. Please forgive me as I continue to remember that I already am complete/significant in Christ. It’s a process to remember that He doesn’t need me to do anything for Him to be significant, but I’m already significant as I do everything I do with Him. Thanks for understanding.
Set Free No“W”ww